Debates between Martyn Day and Lord Johnson of Marylebone during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Martyn Day and Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Monday 6th November 2017

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Martyn Day Portrait Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP)
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T7. Universities were shocked when a member of the Government took it upon himself to write to them seeking details of the professionals teaching Brexit-related courses. Is the Secretary of State comfortable with that sort of McCarthyite behaviour? If not, what will she do about it?

Lord Johnson of Marylebone Portrait The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (Joseph Johnson)
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That letter was sent not by the Government, but by an MP acting in an individual capacity. The Government have made it clear that they fully support academic freedom and have recently entrenched that further in law through the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.