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Lord Collins of Highbury's amendment, Clause 1

Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023

Committee stage

Amendment number: 11

Lead member

Lord Collins of Highbury
Labour, Life peer
Lords

Decision

Not moved
The amendment was not moved. The House was not invited to take a decision on it (though it may have been debated with other amendments).

Amendment text

Clause 1, page 2, line 6

at end insert—
“(4A) The objective in subsection (2) includes securing that no person listed in paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (2) is deprived of an ability to speak freely as a result of a non-disclosure agreement or confidentiality agreement between that person and the governing body of the registered higher education provider.
(4B) The provision in subsection (4A) does not prevent the use of a non-disclosure agreement in any case where the governing body and academic staff member agree that a non-disclosure agreement or confidentiality agreement is necessary for the protection of intellectual property.”

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment would ensure that non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements with higher education providers cannot obstruct a victim’s freedom of speech, save where they are necessary to protect intellectual property.