Contributions
1,690 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q No, it is different. In those cases, you can actually define it: if, for example, a woman is pregnant and there is evidence that the individual did not get the job or was not…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Oh for God’s sake.07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q That is not true, because there are boards of universities. There is the advice put out in present legislation—I accept it might need updating, but you do not need legislation…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q But, with respect, those are covered already by the equality legislation and the Human Rights Act. You do not need another piece of legislation. You said earlier on that you…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q With respect, Mr Simpson, that is nonsense. If someone is black and they are discriminated against, whether in delivering a service or in a job, you can define that. What we…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q I am very clear that where we need legislation to protect people, I will support it. That is the way we should operate. I struggle with the Bill and understanding what the…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)We need figures, facts and this, that and the other, but we are not seeing any of that.07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q There is legislation already, in the Education Act. What you are saying is that that is not working. If I follow your argument, universities are not following that because what…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)I beg to differ with you on that.07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q In a previous life, I was a trade union official, and can I just say to you that employers will find very clear ways of not employing people, to get round any type of…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Chair, this morning it was said that hon. Members have to declare their interests every time they speak. My understanding, and that of the right hon. Member for South Holland and…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q Well, your main argument is that their argument is that they are doing this because they are afraid of putting off potential recruits to their universities. The ultimate…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)John and I disagree on quite a lot.07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q You cover the issues of frivolous and vexatious, and even they will cost some money, but if you get individuals who are well financed this could lead to a lot of expense for the…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)The old fuddy-duddies win, then.07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q But your main argument was the fact that somehow this legislation was needed because universities were not going to employ, not wanting to get, people like you, because it was…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q It depends how you define it. What the Bill is doing is letting the state determine what freedom of speech is going to be. I accept that everyone agrees what its broad…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Second sitting)Q Why do we need legislation to do that for those institutions? Most university charters have such points in them. The 1987 Act has it in there as well. Why do you need…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q Is not the logical conclusion to what you are saying, your argument, this? You are saying that institutions are not using the existing law, which is there to protect academic…07 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (First sitting)Q That is not covered by the Bill. If the logic of your argument is that the reasons why universities are not— Professor Stock: I think that is already happening, for what it is…07 Sept 2021