Contributions
925 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)There are even elements in science itself where there are really contentious issues and we know that some scientific theories are being brought forward for political motives—we…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)Right, I am waiting for the Minister to say that this will be covered in guidance. On this occasion, I might well support her, because it is complicated. It is a combination of…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)Don’t fall for it!15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I want to repeat my declaration of interest as an honorary fellow of Birkbeck, University of London, which is the same as the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner. I…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I hate to raise this subject, but it was suggested that someone in any field of academic expertise would somehow be denied the ability to talk about or comment on Brexit. Can we…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I register my interest as an honorary fellow of Birkbeck College, and my wife is a tutor at University College London.15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Fourth sitting)Ditto.13 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q David Simmonds registered an interest as an honorary fellow of Birkbeck—so am I. I did not realise that it was a registered interest, or that anyone would be interested, but…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q But it is open to challenge. Trevor Phillips: I am not going to dodge your question, John. I am quite straightforward about this. The student union can say, “No, we’re not…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q It cannot under this legislation. Under this legislation, that would be challengeable. Trevor Phillips: I do not think that the legislation will compel any part of a university…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q The point you made earlier, which I agree with, is that some element of the right to protest should be put into the Bill then. Trevor Phillips: If one could find the right…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q I completely understand that, but by addressing one type of vexatious complaint, you could be causing others. With regard to the point that you made about the director for…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)We try to limit that risk. Professor Stock: I am not saying that is a good aspect of any legislation. I agree that up to a point a lot is left unspoken. A lot depends on the…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q Professor Stock, on a point that you raised, you are right that we need to ensure that freedom of speech in the academic field is regularly debated. We need to remind ourselves…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)But it is such an interesting dialogue.07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q I want to seek your advice about another piece of the Bill: subsection 12 of clause 7 about the review that will take place. It states: “This paragraph applies if the Secretary…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q I use this example. For a number of years I was in local government, as both an elected member and a civil servant. There have been cases within local government, such as…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q How will people have redress under this? If they were defamed, is there any right of redress? Is there any method of redress where there is absolute privilege like this? Smita…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)That would be really helpful.07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q Trevor, my point is about the contradiction in this legislation. We could have legislation that forces the student union to give a platform to the Chinese Communist party to…07 Sept 2021