§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had from Sir David Smith FRS, principal of Edinburgh university, on the place of academic freedom as a component of the conduct of university teaching and research; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonMy hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, West (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton) has sent my right hon. Friend a copy of a letter dated 28 January from Sir David Smith. Sir David says that the160W senatus of Edinburgh university approved unanimously a motion which expressed and reaffirmed the belief that academic freedom is an essential component of the conduct of university teaching and research. He also drew attention to the court's anxiety about the lack of any reference in the Bill to the maintenance of academic freedom.
The Government believe wholeheartedly that academic freedom is fundamental to a healthy system of higher education. I refer the hon. Member to the detailed statements I made in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, North (Mr. Baker) on 20 November 1987 at columns 676–78 and the hon. Member for Glasgow, Hillhead (Mr. Galloway) on 13 January 1988 at columns 268–69.