§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the maximum number of weeks during which students will be in residence at any single university during the period of consultation laid down for the new proposals for regulation of student unions, at how many universities students will be in residence for at least four weeks during this period and what are the principles on which Her Majesty's Government decide what is an adequate period for consultation on proposals of this kind.
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education (Baroness Blatch)The Government have already undertaken extensive consultations on the principles to be applied to student union affairs, as the basis for our reform plans. The consultations now under way relate to the implementation of the reforms announced on 1st July. To enable them to be completed constructively, we have decided to extend the consultation period to four months. The dates of terms and periods when residence is required are matters for the universities themselves.