Calendar: 1927-1928 Page 467

ANNUAL REPORT vii charge Gratifying reports have been received of the valuable service given by students of the Theological Department in the national emergency Report of the Departmental Committee on the University of London The Council have been gravely concerned with the situation caused by the Bill now before Parliament to set up Statutory Commissioners to carry into effect the recommendations of the Departmental Committee The proposed new Senate would contain only one repre- sentative of King's College and it seems likely that the Council would lose the representation on the Senate which was secured to it under the Act of 1908 Of even more serious moment are the suggested regula- tions for the admission and readmission of Schools of the University which would give the Senate the power to revise the constitution of the College and the right to appoint the principal teachers These are questions which affect all the Theological Schools in the University and the Council have taken steps in conjunction with the Nonconformist Colleges to bring them to the notice of the President of the Board of Education and to have them presented in the debates on the Bill The position of Theology in the University under the proposed new statutes would be very unsatisfactory and it is to be hoped that its special needs may be recognised by the Statutory Commission In connection with the Departmental Committee's Report the Council have been led to raise the question of the possibility of the appointment of members of the teaching staff of the Theological Department as University Professors It seemed necessary to do this since the Report clearly contemplates that every University Faculty shall consist in the main of University Professors The question raised by the Council is still under consideration by the Senate Conclusion The causes of anxiety referred to above arise from external sources The Council have still not been able from lack of funds to take in hand the question of raising the salaries of the teaching staff to scale approximating those of teachers of other Faculties nor have they been able to begin the work of completing the building of the Hostel They have these objects constantly in view as the next steps in the development of the Theological Department and hope that benefactors may arise before long to enable them to be realised The Council in reviewing the work of the past year are able to state that the Theological Department of King's College shows signs of vigorous life and pray that the Divine blessing may rest upon the work