§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider introducing legislation to provide for postal ballots for the election of officers of student unions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeThe conduct of student unions is regulated by the constitution of each union as a constituent part of its parent institution. My right hon. Friend does not consider that it would be appropriate to legislate in the way suggested.
§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to how many officers of student unions enjoy a sabbatical during their term of office, and at what cost to the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeComprehensive information about the numbers of sabbatical posts is not available, but a survey undertaken by the Univertisty of Edinburgh Students' Association indicated that in 1979–80 there was an average of 4.2 such posts in university student unions. The cost to public funds is not known.
§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the amount of public moneys paid to student unions of universities and colleges; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeThe information is not available. However in 1981, when the basis for funding student unions' was being changed, it was stated in evidence to the Education Science and Arts Committee (minutes of evidence, 28 January 1981) that the total annual cost was then estimated to be around £22 million.