§ 32. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funds are made available through rates and taxes to the National Union of Students and to students' unions through Great Britain, respectively; if he is satisfied that the expenditure of such money is being adequately controlled as regards the purposes for which it is granted; and if he will outline the administrative procedures currently in use to ensure this.
§ Mr. MulleyMy Department makes no contribution to the funds of the National Union of Students, and I have no information about funds made available from other public sources. Individual student unions are financed in a variety of ways, but mainly through union subscriptions. The cost of the subscription is included in a mandatory award when union membership is compulsory. In the academic year 1971–72, the latest year for which my Department has figures, the total cost of union subscriptions for universities in Great Britain and polytechnics in England and Wales was about £2.5 million.
In general, responsibility for approving the constitution of student unions and the level of subscriptions lies with the authorities of universities and colleges: and they are expected to see that union funds are properly spent. Union accounts are generally subject to independent audit.