§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many responses he has received concerning his inquiry into the status of the National Union of Students; what was the balance of opinion in these responses; and if he will list the organisations and institutions that have responded, and place their responses in the Library.
Mr. JacksonMy Department has conducted a survey on student unions and their links with the National Union of Students. Factual information was sought and received from 70 institutions of further and higher education. In addition, since the announcement of the survey in April 1988, we have received 109 separate representations about the National Union of Students, either in correspondence from the general public or forwarded by hon. Members on behalf of their constituents. Of these, 66 (60.6 per cent.) were in favour of a change in the status of the National Union of Students, 43 (39.4 per cent.) against.
As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess) on 10 June 1988 at column 691, I do not consider it appropriate to deposit such correspondence in the Library.