§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the maintenance of freedom of speech in universities, with special reference to the views expressed to his Department by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals.
§ Mr. WaldenThe Government have consistently made clear their view that the protection of freedom of speech at institutions of higher education should be of primary concern to all members of such institutions. They have therefore welcomed both the publication before Christmas by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of its guidance to universities on freedom of speech and lawful assembly, and the assurance that nothing in that guidance should be a pretext for an institution to cancel a meeting other than in extreme circumstances.