Contributions
1,478 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Fifth sitting)I echo the comments of colleagues, who have made the case so well. We have profound concerns about the amendment, I am afraid. We understand what it is trying to do, but it could…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Fifth sitting)I beg to move amendment 55, in clause 1, page 2, line 7, at end insert— “members and visiting academic speakers” This amendment would ensure that the objective of securing freedom…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Fifth sitting)I beg to move amendment 52, in clause 1, page 1, line 18, after “premises” insert “or online platforms”. This amendment expands the objective of securing freedom of speech within…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Fifth sitting)My hon. Friend is right. His knowledge and experience in these matters greatly exceed mine, so I thank him for bringing that to the table. The Minister said that she would expect…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Fifth sitting)I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that intervention. I genuinely respect him and would like to accept his point. However, I have profound concerns over the direction of the…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Fifth sitting)I am conscious of time so I will not spend too much of it on this. I really hope that amendment 55 is yet another constructive, common-sense tweak to the Bill, to ensure that…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Fifth sitting)I am reassured by what the Minister says. It seems there is coverage for visiting academic speakers. On that basis, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Cummins. I listened to what the hon. Member for Congleton said. We have to be wary of where the amendment could take us in…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I now give way to the right hon. Gentleman.15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his point and, likewise, my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle for hers. I accept that there is a need for…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)Yes, learning—going through that development. That is why students are attracted to going into higher education. It is to understand about the process of that academic rigour and…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend for his, as ever, valuable contribution—and specialism of optometry. I always try to look through a rose-tinted lens. More seriously, the point he makes is…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I will give way to my hon. Friend, and respond to the interventions together.15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for Congleton and my hon. Friend for their interventions. Yes, there is a differentiation between doctoral and undergraduate students. Vitally, with…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)Some of us are agreed that it should not be in there, and I think the House of Lords should explore whether further definition is required. From talking to academics over the last…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)And speaking of expertise.15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his remarks and his amendment, which has generated a huge amount of debate. It is interesting that several of us have had a go at the same…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend for her intervention. I totally agree. In response to the point raised by right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings about the detransitioning…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his intervention. Yes, we heard virtually all the academic witnesses and others express the importance of this point. Dr Ahmed, referring to…15 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend again for a valuable intervention.15 Sept 2021