---

Business of the House

It is important that students who have worked hard—and even some of those who have not—have their examinations marked and therefore have the opportunity to graduate. This is a vital, difficult and sensitive time in young people’s lives, and we would not want industrial action to jeopardise their prospects. I suppose I ought to declare that I am a former member of the Association of University Teachers. I remember once marching under a banner that caused utter confusion to the local population, as it read ““Rectify the Anomaly””. It was not the most immediately effective campaign slogan, and it caused a great deal of puzzlement. I think that equal puzzlement would be caused to any students who did not have their exams marked. It is always much better if these issues can be resolved by negotiation rather than by industrial action.