A well-respected survey of students released just last week by the Higher Education Policy Institute found that the overwhelming majority of students report that they hear a variety of opinions expressed on campus, including those different from their own, and a similar majority feel comfortable expressing their own points of view.

I'm not convinced that there is a substantive threat to free speech at universities in Wales; rather, our institutions continue to be open and supportive environments where free and frank exchanges of ideas take place daily.

Members should also note that the law already places sufficient duties on education institutions to protect freedom of speech. The Education (No. 2) Act 1986 requires that governing bodies of higher and further education institutions in Wales