§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make 672W a statement about future arrangements for financing student unions.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsIn May this year my Department issued a discussion paper on the financing of student unions, and a similar paper was issued in June by the Scottish Education Department. The principal aim of the proposals outlined in these papers was to achieve greater accountability for the substantial expenditure of public funds involved in the financing of student unions without impairing the autonomy of the unions in essential matters, or the freedom of students to manage their own affairs. The main suggestion was that an upper limit—possibly £15 to £20—should be set on the amount which could be paid through the awards machinery in respect of student union subscriptions, and be reviewed periodically in consultation with the various interests concerned, and that this could be supplemented from an institution's recurrent grant, following local negotiations. At the same time, a minimum level of subscription, possibly £1.25 for full-time students, would be recommended in guidance to local education authorities.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have now considered the responses made to these discussion papers. A large proportion of those who responded, including bodies representing those responsible for providing student union facilities, are ready to accept the proposals outlined in the discussion papers, and indeed no acceptable alternative has been suggested. Accordingly, while we will of course be prepared to look at any new considered views which may emerge, my right hon. Friend and I have reached the conclusion that we must proceed with future arrangements for the financing of student unions on the basis of our proposals. A number of points require discussion and clarification, and we will pursue these with the various parties involved with the aim of ensuring that the new arrangements work fairly and effectively. If it proves necessary for this purpose to defer their introduction until the academic year 1980–81, we will issue recommendations to the bodies concerned in order that any increases in student union subscriptions for 1979–80 are kept within acceptable limits.
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