Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public funds are allocated to students' unions in Northern Ireland; and what information he maintains on the numbers and functions of persons employed by students' unions, using such funds.
§ Mr. Ancram[holding answer 16 July 1993]: Public funds are not allocated direct by the Government to students' unions in Northern Ireland. The amounts allocated to the students' unions by the universities and colleges of education in Northern Ireland are set out in the reply of my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley) on 2 November 1992, Official Report, column 50. Details of the numbers and functions of persons employed by the students' unions using these funds are a matter for the unions and institutions concerned.
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Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the oral statement by the Secretary of State for Education, of 1 July,Official Report, columns 1118–9, on students' unions, to what extent he considers campaigns by students' unions in Northern Ireland against (a) the national anthem and (b) the annual Remembrance day ceremony to amount to political activity.
§ Mr. Ancram[holding answer 16 July 1993]: It is not unusual for students to express strong opinions on matters which may be of a political nature and the Government judges individual campaigns accordingly.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on political activity by students' unions in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Ancram[holding answer 16 July 1993]: I fully support the principle of the package of students' unions reforms to be made in England, Scotland and Wales. However, in view of the differences in practice and approach in Northern Ireland, I propose to consult interested bodies before deciding on the way forward.