Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Davies Excerpts

Monday 10th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nick Gibb]

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right about the importance of agriculture and of studying agricultural sciences. The sciences—maths, chemistry, physics and biology—are important preparation for studying agriculture post-16.

[Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)]

14. What steps his Department has taken to ensure that freedom of speech is protected in universities.

[Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (Con)]

17. What steps his Department has taken to ensure that freedom of speech is protected in universities.

[The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (Mr Sam Gyimah)]

We want our universities to be bastions of free speech where a free and robust exchange of ideas thrives. I am very encouraged that the Office for Students has made it very clear that, as a regulator, it will be encouraging free speech in our universities and that, if it intervenes, it will never be to restrict it.

[Chris Davies]

Earlier this summer, the Universities Minister made it clear that free speech on campus should be encouraged and that those attempting to shut it down should have nowhere to hide. Does my hon. Friend agree that hearing, considering and debating different views are a key part of learning?

[Mr Gyimah]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We want free speech, diversity of opinion, diversity of thought and civility in debate, where people do not easily take offence or give offence too easily. That is why I am working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission and key stakeholders to come up with new guidance on free speech to deal with the dizzying array of regulations that wreckers on campus can exploit to frustrate free speech.