§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what are the terms of reference of the proposed Commission to investigate students' union finances;
69W(2) if the proposed commission to investigate students' union finances will take evidence from the Federation of Conservative Students;
(3) if she will give details of the timetable of the proposed commission to investigate students' union finances.
§ Mr. OakesNo commission is proposed. My right hon. Friend has initiated discussions with the National Union of Students and officers of the local authority associations on the financing of student unions. Wider consultations will follow. My right hon. Friend will be glad to consider evidence submitted by any interested party, including the Federation of Conservative Students. No timetable has been laid down, but the consultations will proceed as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations concerning student affairs she has received from Mr. David Wilks, Chairman of the Federation of Conservative Students, since 1st July 1977.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the proposed commission to investigate students' union finances will be able to consider arguments for individual students to be able to opt out of compulsory membership of the National Union of Students.
§ Mr. OakesNo commission is proposed. The question of membership of the National Union of Students is determined by the constitution of that body. It is a matter for local student unions, or for individual students outside those unions, to decide whether or not to be affiliated to the NUS.