§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many instances have been brought to his notice of ultra vires payments made by student unions in the last five years; and what was the consequence.
§ Mr. BrookeInformation relating to years before 1982 is not available. Allegations that ultra vires expenditure had been incurred or was contemplated by student unions were referred to the Law Officers' Department on two occasions in 1982. Warnings were issued on behalf of my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to the institutions concerned. Since my right hon. and learned Friend issued his guidance on the matter to student unions last October, four further cases have been referred to him by the Department and are being investigated by the Treasury Solicitor.