Written question asked by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Monday, 25 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 28 June 2007. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 2 July 2007 on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Higher Education: Sanctions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely impact of a boycott of Israeli universities and academics by British universities, colleges and academics, as proposed by the Universities and Colleges Union, upon Jewish students studying in Britain.

Answer: [holding answer 28 June 2007]: The Government fully support academic freedom and are firmly against any academic boycotts of Israel or Israeli academics. The Government have demonstrated their clear commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity in higher education and more broadly in British society. Universities as independent, autonomous bodies are responsible themselves for complying with legislation and fulfilling their statutory duties. Under the Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000) university governing bodies are also responsible for assessing the impact of their policies on student and staff of different racial groups.

Secondary information