Public Disorder at NUS Rally

Debate between Baroness Sharp of Guildford and Baroness Neville-Jones

Thursday 11th November 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

My Lords, as I said previously, I am confident that this is not a question of whether the numbers and resources are available for the acquisition of intelligence. The noble Lord makes a good point when he says that modern technology—mobile telephony, combined with the use of the internet—can produce situations that can change rapidly, as in the immediate run-up to a demonstration of this kind. That is clearly something that the police will need to take into account in how they use their intelligence resources with the help of other agencies, and how they plan for demonstrations. I am confident that the police have both the resources and the capability to do this.

[Baroness Sharp of Guildford]

My Lords, were any police resources outside those of the Metropolitan Police used to help to police this demonstration?

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

I am afraid I do not know the answer to that question. I will have to write to the noble Baroness. Clearly, students came from some distance so it would be logical for there to have been contact, but I do not specifically know.

Education: Overseas Students

Debate between Baroness Sharp of Guildford and Baroness Neville-Jones

Wednesday 13th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

My Lords, the previous Government certainly began to put measures in place. This Government have built on those measures, very much strengthened them and are still evaluating whether we have strong enough measures in place. If we want to take further measures, we shall announce them before the end of the year. As to the numbers, 220 institutions have been suspended since the tier-4 system put in place by this Government took effect; 53 of those are permanent suspensions and 78 are still under evaluation. Real measures are being taken—with teeth.

[Baroness Sharp of Guildford]

My Lords, what is the position of language schools, which are extremely important to some seaside towns?

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

Indeed, and no part of the Government’s policy is aimed at doing anything other than enabling genuine language schools to offer genuine language teaching to genuine students—one of the points made earlier by my noble friend. The English language qualification for those courses is lower because it is designed to enable people either to do a foundation course or to learn basic English, so different rules apply. On the other hand, we intend those students to actually be in genuine institutions.