Contributions
755 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)A pre-appointment scrutiny hearing is the prerogative of the Government. The Government could decide that, but it does not need to be on the face of the Bill. As for whom the…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)As we have heard, new clause 3 would require the Secretary of State to invite a Select Committee of the House of Commons to review the effectiveness of the provisions of the Bill…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for that very good point. While not wanting to predetermine the work of the new director, I fully anticipate that they will look at drawing up templates of…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)Earlier, I was too eager to get to new clause 2. The new clause would require providers to take steps to ensure that student unions have sufficient resources to carry out their…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)We believe that the title of the Bill is correct. Question put and agreed to. Clause 12 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill. New Clause 1 Duties of constituent…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)New clause 2 seeks to requires providers to take steps to ensure that student unions have sufficient resource to carry out their duties—22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)The clause sets out the commencement provisions for certain clauses. It provides that clause 6 and related provisions will come into force on the day the Act is passed, to allow…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)The clause is a technical provision setting out the extent of the provisions of the Bill. The majority of the Bill extends to England and Wales, but part 2 of the schedule makes a…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)The schedule contains minor and consequential amendments to other legislation and is brought to effect by clause 9. As we discussed, the consequential amendments are necessary to…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)Under amendment 70, higher education providers would not have to comply with certain academic decisions such as those concerning delivery of curriculum or research in relation to…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)Clause 9 gives effect to the schedule to the Bill that makes minor and consequential amendments to other legislation. These consequential amendments are necessary to give effect…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)As we heard in evidence, the role will be akin to the director for fair access and participation. The job description and all the terms will be published in due course—it would be…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Twelfth sitting)We have already discussed the clause extensively, so I will keep my remarks very tight. The new complaints scheme provided for by clause 7 will be overseen by the new director for…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)I have finished.22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)We are going very off topic. We have a lot of clauses to get through, so I will continue. There will also be important oversight built into the system when the director has been…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)Throughout my tenure as Minister of State for Universities, I have worked closely with the sector, listening to its views and its requirements for the role, as the Department has…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)Amendment 85 seeks to ensure that the director is a person who has not donated to any political party in the last three years, and it would prohibit the director from making…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)I do not want to get into the individual example, because I am not fully familiar with the details. My hon. Friend the hon. Member for Congleton said that she was concerned that…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)The hon. Member has made that point before. The chair of the OfS was appointed accordingly, and the director for freedom of speech and academic freedom will be as well. I hope…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eleventh sitting)When the new director is in place, they will produce comprehensive guidance in consultation with the sector, including student unions. I am confident that the individual who is…22 Sept 2021