§ 31. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will introduce legislation to provide that where students at universities take part in sit-in strikes they will be charged for the use of the buildings involved.
§ Mr. Edward ShortNo, Sir.
§ Mr. LewisIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public are getting a bit fed up with students who indulge in sit-ins and occupy premises which are paid for by the public and who are receiving grants? Will he make it clear to students that there are no such things as free universities and charge them accordingly for the use of premises?
§ Mr. ShortUniversity discipline is a matter for the universities which, usually by Royal Charter or Act of Parliament, are autonomous, and I have no power to intervene, even if I wished to do so. I think it is worth pointing out that in no case in this country has a majority of students carried out lawless behaviour of this kind, and in every case in which a majority of students have asserted themselves the trouble has ended.
§ Mr. MolloyIs my right hon. Friend aware that if he took serious cognisance of the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. Kenneth Lewis) he would immediately be accused of using the heavy hand of the State to muzzle free expression of views by students in this country?
§ Mr. ShortI do not condone lawlessness or breaches of the law. I condemn them very strongly. But the time to beware is when students stop protesting.
§ Mr. JenningsIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to institute a full inquiry into relationships between students and university authorities?