HL Deb 03 August 1966 vol 276 cc1307-10

2.53 p.m.

LORD WADE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will institute an inquiry into the closure of University College, Salisbury, Rhodesia before the end of the term; and into the attempts to suppress freedom of expression of political opinion in the College.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (LORD BESWICK)

My Lords, the facts of the recent illegal arrest and detention of members of the staff of the College are now well known. The British Government deplores this illegal action and the possible consequences for the future of the College, but the question of an inquiry into the affairs of the University College in Salisbury is a matter for the University Council.

LORD WADE

My Lords, I am obliged for that Answer, so far as it goes, but as one of the imprisoned lecturers is personally known to me I have an additional reason for feeling concerned. Therefore may I ask for the latest news? Secondly, what do Her Majesty's Government propose to do to make it quite clear that Britain does not condone what has happened? Thirdly, what will they do to safeguard the other members of the staff who protest against the way in which the Rhodesian régime has attempted to destroy the academic liberty of the College?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, as to the position of those who were detained, as the noble Lord will know, there is now an order of deportation against all of them. It is expected that they will be leaving to-day, some for Zambia and other for this country. I hope that their future will be cared for. As for the second question which the noble Lord asked, about the attitude of the British Government to the College, in so far as we have any influence on the College in the provision of financial assistance, I think I made it quite clear yesterday that we do not condone this type of behaviour, and of course the provision of further financial assistance will be dependent upon the College fulfilling the purposes for which it was established. As to the last part of the noble Lord's question, I think we must be careful that we do not, as a Government, interfere with an institution which is an independent body established under its own Royal Charter. If we are respecting academic freedom we should not indulge in any unnecessary Government intervention.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, when my noble friend says that the inquiry is a matter for the University Council, will he bear in mind two matters: first, that the Acting Principal of the University and the whole of the academic board have protested against this interference, and, secondly, that the British Government are directly involved because they contribute £200,000 a year to this University, and that gives them some right to intervene in a matter of this kind?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I am sure the representations, which have been made by other members of the University College staff will be taken into account when the future of the College is considered by the University Council. As far as the second part of this question is concerned, I think I have already made it clear, both yesterday and in answer to the Question put by the noble Lord, Lord Wade, as to what we consider to be our position as far as intervention in this matter is concerned. I would only add that the British Government have one representative on the University Council and we can of course make known our views through him as well.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, has my noble friend any information to give the House whether the resumption of the University's activities after the present vacation is over is likely to be any further delayed?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, as I have said, the organisation of the college is a matter for the University Council, and that question is being considered by them.

LORD REAY

My Lords, when is the next payment due to be made by Her Majesty's Government? Secondly, could I ask them how they intend to apply the test of the conditions which they demand the University to follow before the payment is made, and whether they consider that the conditions are in fact being met at the moment?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I cannot say the date when the next annual payment of the three years' payments is to be made, although I will find out and will let the noble Lord know. As to the conditions under which it will be made, I thought I had made that abundantly clear.

LORD REAY

My Lords, while I thank the noble Lord for his answer, that does not seem to me to be the case. May I ask the noble Lord to answer the question which I put to him, which was what standards would they apply to determine whether or not conditions of academic freedom actually existed and, in any case, whether they considered they applied at the moment? That is my question.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, when the noble Lords says "at the moment", if he means at this very moment the answer is no, because the University College is closed. We do, however, hope it will be reopened, and it will then be for us to judge the conditions under which that reopening takes place.