Lords' stand defends academic freedom

The House of Lords stood up for academic freedom last week when it carried amendments to the Export Control Bill by 150 votes to 108. Universities had worried that the bill would allow the government to intercept any academic communications, including emails.

Baroness Miller and Baroness Sharp tabled an amendment, drafted by Ross Andersen of Cambridge University, enshrining academic freedom in primary legislation. After a final hearing in the Lords, the bill will return to the Commons.