Examination of Witnesses

Part of Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 10:31 am on 7 September 2021.

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Photo of Emma Hardy Emma Hardy Labour, Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle 10:31, 7 September 2021

Q Yes. Just to quote from the submission,

“it is arguable that freedom of speech would take primacy over academic freedom when the duty is balanced in practice (i.e. you can read the duty as follows: take particular regard to the importance of freedom of speech when taking reasonably practicable steps to achieve the objective of securing academic freedom).”

Would you be recommending, therefore, that the Bill as it is written is addressed to deal with this imbalance?