Universities: Freedom of Speech

Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve Excerpts

Monday 22nd February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Clinton-Davis (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve (CB)]

My Lords—

[The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con)]

In order for me to assist the House, the Member seeking to ask a question has to try to get in. However, I think that the House wants to hear from the noble Baroness, Lady O’Neill.

[Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve]

Does the Minister have any views about the most effective means by which university vice-chancellors and councils can alter the climate in which some people confuse the passion of their own disagreement with a licence to silence?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

There is a good, strong relationship between vice-chancellors and students in many universities. Indeed, as Louise Richardson, vice-chancellor of Oxford University, has said, students must learn to engage with ideas that they find objectionable and be more willing to debate with opponents to try to change their minds. Statements like that from vice-chancellors, encouraging students and making clear the need to debate and argue about ideas, are very positive.