Contributions
1,478 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)Exactly that—it is about how this Bill will play with existing legislation and how the responsibilities will be balanced. The fact, and the overriding argument, is that…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I have a minor point relating to the title. It appears pretty straightforward, but there seems to be a variance in how it is listed. The Education Act 1986 included further and…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. This important provision is all about having sufficient resources. As we have debated at some length, student unions will…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I hear the Minister, but the Opposition believe that it will lead to considerable red tape, even if there are templates to be adopted and so on. I just do not believe that many…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)The purpose behind new clause 3 is straightforward: it is to ensure that the effectiveness of the legislation is formally reviewed, certainly within a year of it’s being passed.…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)As my right hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington said, we believe that the amendments are quite straightforward. We should be trying to avoid the piling up of…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I understand the points that have been made by the hon. Member for Congleton, and I appreciate the sentiment, but I disagree with how new clause 5 is worded, because implicit in…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)It sounds as though we may be being slightly selective in our quotes from Dr Ahmed, because I take something slightly different from what he said. I take on board the point that…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)I was not aware of that, so there is a gap in my knowledge, but I think that is exactly the right sort of approach. We need this appointment to have credibility.22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)It is absolutely fine, and I appreciate it. The Universities UK advisory board said quite explicitly that openness and transparency are needed in this appointment. I wanted to…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)On the appointment and the process, the Minister was in place as the Minister of State for Higher Education for the appointment of Lord Wharton. What were the skills and expertise…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)This has been an important debate. As we have said, this will be way too much power invested in one individual. That will then lead to that individual’s interpretations of…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)Indeed. The purpose behind new clause 9 is to have a process whereby the appointment goes through the appropriate body in the House of Commons, which we suggest is the Education…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)I am sure that the Minister is listening to these points. I think the Education Committee should have certain powers and status, and its involvement in these processes would be…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I will just finish off my remarks on amendment 85 and new clauses 9 and 11. I remind the Committee that we believe there is a need for some other body to be involved in the…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)We have discussed this clause at some length. It causes us great concern and concern across the entire sector—to the universities, the University and College Union and the…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)Will the Minister confirm that the role will be a full-time appointment, and what will the tenure of the contract be?22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I am not a lawyer. I would hope that it would be, but my hon. Friend may well be right that it may not be covered. That would be its intent. The concern is about the vulnerability…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. The former Secretary of State for Education, the right hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Gavin Williamson), said on Second…22 Sept 2021