§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the duties attached to the Lord Chancellor's Office in respect of universities; and what changes have been made in the arrangement for carrying out the duties. [121025]
§ Mr. LammyThe Lord Chancellor acts as Visitor to a number of universities. In some cases he is acting on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen; in others by virtue of his office.
The Visitor may participate in ceremonial occasions and may be called upon to give advice where a university expresses doubt as to its powers under its charter and statutes. However, the most important duty of the Visitor is to determine all disputes arising between the university and its members, other than those concerning the employment or appointment, or termination of employment or appointment, of a member of the academic staff.
No changes have been made to the arrangements for carrying out the Lord Chancellor's duties as Visitor. However, the Government's White Paper "The Future of Higher Education" proposed that an independent adjudicator should be established by legislation to 129W review student complaints. The jurisdiction of the Visitor over student complaints is likely therefore to be removed.