§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, as awards to universities will in future make no mention of the student union fee, if he will publish the criteria upon which the student union fee has to be measured in the future.
§ Dr. BoysonNo. Student unions will be funded mainly from the income of the parent institution under local settlements to meet the respective circumstances. Subscriptions, for the purposes now mentioned in awards regulations, will no longer be required from mandatory award holders.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has had any discussions or given guidance to polytechnic administrators on the new system of financing student unions; and what effects this will have on student unions in polytechnics.
90W
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleThis information is given in the following table:—
§ Dr. BoysonThere have been no discussions specifically with polytechnic administrators but guidance has been given by the Council of Local Education Authorities and in statements by my right hon. and learned Friend and myself. The effects on student unions will depend on whatever local decisions are taken.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has had any discussions with the University Grants Committee on student union autonomy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonThe new arrangements for financing student unions were discussed with the University Grants Committee. My right hon. and learned Friend said, when announcing the new arrangements on 5 February 1980
I would expect that within the requirements of these new arrangements institutions will continue to afford their unions freedom in the management of their affairs."—[Official Report, 5 February 1980; Vol. 978, c. 140.]