Motion picture

A delegate at last Saturday's council meeting of the Association of University Teachers Scotland complained about a motion authorising the council's officers to take part in Scottish consultations on the Dearing inquiry into higher education. He ventured that the officers did not require authorisation, and that the motion was therefore unnecessary.

Ron Emanuel of Glasgow University was appalled by the intervention.

"Surely we don't want this new principle that motions have to be necessary?" he demanded.