§ 6. Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the position of the discussions on industrial democracy in the universities.
§ Mr. OakesThe report of the working party established by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals in October 1976, to consider the implications of industrial democracy for the universities, was published in March. I hope to receive shortly the views of the University Grants Committee on the report's conclusions.
§ Mr. HoyleDoes not my hon. Friend agree that this kind of working party could be considered by us? Would it not have been better to have involved the trade unions directly in these talks so that at least an impartial report could have been prepared?
§ Mr. OakesI would prefer not to comment in any detail at this stage. The University Grants Committee, in considering this, will shortly be submitting a report to me. I hope that it will consider this report not in isolation but in the context of the Prime Minister's statement about the White Paper on industrial democracy.
§ Mr. StokesIs not this whole concept for discussion in universities absolute nonsense? Is not the purpose of universities to discuss true learning rather than ephemeral and fashionable political notions?
§ Mr. OakesI am amazed that that view still prevails, even by the hon. Gentleman, in this House. Universities work as a team, with both the non-academic staff and the academic staff working together.