§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will place in the Library details of any representations he has received concerning automatic membership of student unions; and if he will make a statement;
689W(2) if he will place in the Library a list of those organisations and individuals who made representations to him concerning automatic membership of student unions; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will place in the Library the information he has on compulsory student union membership; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonStudents become members of the student union of their university, polytechnic or college of further or higher education by virtue of their being enrolled at the institution. They are not normally required to pay any subscription as a member and can decide whether or not to take part in the union's activities. As indicated in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Mr. Janman) on 18 April, the Government intend shortly to gather up-to-date factual information on the services available to students from their unions. Since the general election I have met the National Union of Students once to discuss the issue of union membership. The issue has also figured during visits I have made to institutions of higher and further education. In addition, over the period 1 June 1987 to 31 May 1988 we have received some 30 letters from hon. Members and members of the public about membership of local unions and a further 30 letters concerning membership of the National Union of Students. The letters have been evenly divided between those in favour of and those opposed to the present system of membership.
I do not consider it appropriate to deposit this correspondence in the Library.