Business, Innovation and Skills written question – answered at on 4 April 2011.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make representations to higher education authorities about invitations to speakers with a history of promoting anti-Semitism to speak on campuses; and if he will make a statement.
Decisions about external speakers must rest with universities themselves. In this area universities are bound by the law both in protecting freedom of speech on campus, even if that free expression is controversial, and protecting students and staff against harassment or violence. The Government would expect institutions to tackle these issues vigorously when they arise and they have access to guidance from both Government and the sector itself on promoting good campus relations, which draw out the considerations institutions need to give to free expression on campus and to addressing illegal behaviour. Institutions also take advice about external speakers from their local police forces when needed. The Department is active in the wider Government review of the Prevent Strategy which is considering approaches to tackling extremism and supporting integration in universities and elsewhere.
There is no place for racism of any form, such as anti-Semitism, in higher education. Universities have the primary responsibility for ensuring that their students are not subject to threatening or abusive behaviour on campus and have access to a strong legislative framework and guidance to help them deal effectively with instances of intolerance, racism and harassment in their institutions.
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