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Higher Education: Anti-Semitism

Volume 489: debated on Wednesday 11 March 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of anti-Semitism in universities; and if he will make a statement. (263286)

This Government deplore acts of racial or religious intolerance and we are committed to tackling anti-Semitism and any form of racial intolerance. Higher education institutions have the primary responsibility for ensuring that their students are not subject to threatening or abusive behaviour on campus and addressing any complaints received.

We are committed to encouraging higher education institutions to ensure that discrimination has no place in any of their policies or practices and to act swiftly when incidents or complaints are brought to their attention. The Department is currently in the process of establishing a dedicated sub-group to the Cross Government Working Group against anti-Semitism to facilitate discussions between the Jewish community and higher education stakeholders.