Contributions
755 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Tenth sitting)The hon. Gentleman makes a point about the previous activities of the OfS, whereas today we are focusing in this Bill on freedom of speech. This is a new set of requirements, with…20 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Tenth sitting)I give way to the hon. Gentleman.20 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Tenth sitting)I have finished my speech, but I will give way.20 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Tenth sitting)The OfS did publish data around no-platforming, but as we heard from several of the witnesses who appeared before the Committee, no-platforming is just the tip of the iceberg. It…20 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Tenth sitting)I will give way, and then I really will finish.20 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Ninth sitting)One thing we must be clear on is that the current system is not working. It is failing individuals who are having their freedom of speech breached, as we also heard from multiple…20 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)This amendment seeks to extend the duty of higher education providers to promote the importance of freedom of speech and academic freedom so that it specifically applies in the…16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)I beg to move amendment 1, in clause 1, page 3, line 27, after “providers” insert “and their constituent institutions”. This amendment is consequential on NC1.16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)Government amendments 1 to 26 and new clause 1 concern the position of certain colleges of universities such as the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Durham. The amendments…16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)I really am going to conclude now, as we must move on. Colleges have a vital role in the protection of freedom of speech, which is a fundamental value for all of society, but…16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)We did indeed listen to the sector and Members after the Bill was first published, and we identified a gap. These technical amendments will close that gap, which could otherwise…16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)What we are saying is that the junior and middle common rooms are very different from student unions, and we have to ensure that the legislation strikes the right balance—a point…16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)I think that the next part of my comments will address the hon. Member’s concerns. A key element of this duty is to promote academic freedom for academic staff. It is widely…16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)The amendments would narrow the application of the freedom of speech duty in proposed new section A4 on students’ unions so that it only applies, as regards premises, to the…16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)An important aspect of the Bill is that it does not place freedom of speech above other duties, such as freedom of religion. It is down to the university or students’ union to…16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)Any transgression of freedom of speech and academic freedom goes against the fundamental principles of the higher education sector in England. It is therefore essential that our…16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)Opposition Members have spoken at great length on this clause, so I will give way only once.16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)If the hon. Lady will bear with me, I will come on to student societies. In deciding what is reasonably practicable, student unions must have particular regard to the importance…16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)To clarify, if a non-affiliated group were having an event on a university campus, it would of course be covered under the university’s code of practice.16 Sept 2021HANSARD Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill (Eighth sitting)I appreciate the point that hon. Members are trying to make, but I think it is time to step back and reflect on the consequences of what they are arguing. They are effectively…16 Sept 2021