§ 14. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has given local education authorities concerning student representation on the governing bodies of polytechnics.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mrs. Shirley Williams)My right hon. Friend has not advised that there should be student representation on the governing bodies of polytechnics. We shall not raise any objection if an authority wishes to provide for it.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI thank the hon. Lady for that reply, but does she recall that in the case of certain polytechnics satisfactory solutions have been reached regarding student representation? Does she not think it appropriate to make those examples known to other places where rather more old-fashioned views seem to prevail?
§ Mrs. WilliamsWe shall consider that. But I should point out that in our notes of guidance we strongly indicated that provision should be made for student representation in matters of concern to students. We did not wish to lay down the precise form which it should take.