Select Committee says: More discipline for students

FURTHER steps in the drive against left-wing students in universities and colleges are suggested by the House of Commons Select Committee on Education and Science, which reported earlier this week.

The committee's report follows its national 'factfinding' tour, which was several times interrupted by demonstrations, particularly at Essex university and the London School of Economics.

The inquiry was set in motion as part of the witchhunt against student militants which followed the ISE events last year.

In fact, the committee singles out these colleges, along with the art colleges at Hornsey and Guildford, for special treatment.

It recommends that they be subiected to independent inquiries.

Greater control

The main part of the report is a call for greater centralized control over such matters as discipline, student unions and student-staff relations.

Student unions would be required to register with a central body in the same way as trade unions have to register with the Registrar of Friendly Societies.

It would also have the power to inquire in detail into any higher education institute.

These proposals would mean that the government would have far greater control over university affairs.

The new Higher Education Commission would become a means for enforcing governmental diktats in the universities and a centre for the attack on students' conditions and militancy.

No bones The report makes no bones about the need for more 'discipline' in the universities.

'Every institution should be prepared to use its existing disciplinary powers to deal firmly with that small minority of students who are determined to prevent the institutions from functioning.' Not surprisingly, the committee's report, drawn up. by 'all-party' body of MPs, wins the approval of the National Union of Students' leadership.

Mr Jack Straw, NUS president elect, NUs with said the report presented an armoury of weapons, some blunter than they had hoped for—'We intend to use these weapons, he said. structure so that the rank and file would have the decisive voice.

Dustmen and other council workers will have to rely on their own unity and strengtr and continue their fight for ¿ basic increase for all grades.

There should be no illusions about bargaining with individual councils or help from 'friends in parliament'.

The council workers' fight must receive real help from the rest of the labour move-