Universities: Freedom of Expression
(asked on 14th May 2018) - View Source
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they propose to include representatives of student victims of (1) inhibition of freedom of speech, and (2) disruption of meetings, in the preparation of new guidance to promote freedom of speech at universities.
Answered by
Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
At the free speech summit on 3 May 2018 held by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, it was agreed that the report from the Freedom of Speech in Universities inquiry by the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) would be used as the foundation for a shared approach to free speech.
The JCHR inquiry included evidence from a number of groups including those who had experienced disruption of events and student representatives with a range of experiences related to free speech.
The new guidance will be drafted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who will work with a number of groups including the National Union of Students.