p txJb S . NEWSPAPER of the LSE STUDENTS' UNION Ho. 147 JANUARY 6th, 1976 FREE Future of Bar and Florries in doubt THE future management of Florrie's Coffee Bar and the Three Tuns Bar became a subject for debate at the end of last term. At the Refectory Advisory Committee meeting, discussions took place regarding the enormous losses that the School's catering services have made and the means of rectifying them. It was in this context that statements were made with regard to the SU's premises, Florries and the Bar, including the possibility of them coming under School management. £40,000 losses To clarify the situation, Mr Pike, the Financial Secretary, was interviewed by "Beaver." According to him, the future of Florries and the Three Tuns is tied up with the problem of "the refectory financing system" laid down by the University Grants Committee and any future changes in it. At the moment the refectory is supposed to break even with only such invisible subsidies as the paying of rent, rates and space heating being allowed. In spite of this, the School's catering services are estimated to have lost about £40,000 last year. These financial losses, however, are not merely limited to LSE ; it is a nation-wide problem for Universities. Mr Pike lays the blame for this with our old friend inflation and the inability of student grants to keep pace with it. Consequently the University Grants Committee has been considering proposals to make University catering services more economical. Mr Pike' believes that the Committee may suggest that Universities will be able to pay subsidies if they take all catering services, including Student Unions' premises under their managerial wings. The practicality of such a suggestion must be fully considered. Of importance is the fact that the SU's premises are able to operate profitably in comparison to the refectory's losses. Will this still be the case should the School take them over ? Mr. Pike would probably argue that they would still make a profit since he believes that one of the major reasons for Florries' success is the fact that it is situated on the first floor of the St. Clement's Building in contrast to the Rectory and Orange Room sites on the third floor of a building inadequately served by lifts. , Letter to Director In contrast, in a letter to the Director, Peter Timmins, the Senior Treasurer, argues that losses made by the School's catering services are "an. indication of the failure of the centralised bureaucratic catering system that the LSE employs, a system that would kill off the enterprise and profitability that the Union's Trading Enterprises ensue ... In the long term, all the School would gain out of taking over the Union's Trading Enterprises would be more cost-centres contributing to a greater loss. The School would lose the profit yardsticks that the Union provides and, frankly, worries the School catering staff. Great injustice The importance of the profitability of the Union's trading enterprises to the School is also pointed out in the same letter : ". . . these Enterprises have built up over the years the Union's reserves. These reserves have in the past two years, saved the School considerable sums of expenditure, expenditure it would not have avoided if the School had been running the Union's Trading Enterprises. He continues: "Needless to say the loss to the Union would be catastrophic. Any pretence at independence and autonomy the Union has would be removed. The yearly battles over the Per Capita Grant would take on a new significance . . . invested with the venom of people with their backs against the wall, and the memory of >3 great injustice done to them." Bar scheme Mr. Pike, himself, recognises this problem of a compensatory award included within the per capita grant and stated that with the present system of refectory financing little might be gained by taking over the Student Union's premises. The School has other schemes to attract students into spending more money on their enterprises. One idea is the transformation of the no-smoking area of the refectory, uncommonly known as the Barley-Sugar Room, into a lunchtime bar selling pub lunches. In addition to setting up an enterprise on the third floor of a building inadequately served by lifts in competition to the Union Bar conveniently situated in the base- ment of the St. Clement's Building, such a scheme would mean an end to the facilities provided for non-smokers. Meanwhile, the refectory and other catering services continue to lose money, and they will continue to do so until the prices charged bear comparison to those that Students can afford. Schemes are all very well, but it is prices which attract customers. S.D. e.L. Scarborough storms SCARBOROUGH provided a mixed Conference for the Broad Left. They increased their hold on the NUS Executive when the post of Executive Committee member, vacated by Francis Hayden (Liberal), who resigned, was filled after a straw ballot by Peter Davies. As well as being a former vice-president of the New University of Ulster, Mr Davies has the distinction of having been a Loch Ness Monster hunter! Winning this election means that the Broad Left now hold 12 out of the 15 Executive positions. Sue Slipman—not her conference. On the other hand the Broad Left felt the Indignity of having their "brightest" star, Sue Slipman, the National Secretary, removed from her post as convener of the important International Policy Group. This must obviously be a setback for her political career in NUS. The withdrawal of her responsibilities came about after a row concerning the International Policy Group's position with regard to India. The International Socialists, and Pete Gillard, a member of the Executive, in particular, accused the IPG of supporting "Soviet imperialism" because they had done nothing to condemn Indira Gandhi's declaration of a one-party state—a measure supported by the Indian Communist Party. Sue Slipman was also involved in controversy over the Chile seminar which almost forced the referral back of the whole international report of -the Executive. Conference condemned the NUS Executive for liaising with the International Union of Students over the Chile seminar and for its recognition of Czechoslovakian student representatives, regarded as mere tools of Russia. Furthermore, it was argued that representatives of Chilean popular movements had not been invited to attend the seminar. Perhaps the biggest blunder of the Conference was made by A1 Stewart. During the course of the Constitution debate he was driven to quote from a letter written by a member of the Electoral Reform Society. According to Al, this person considered the proposals for direct elections for the NUS Execu- . tive to be: "Unworkable, undemocratic and quite unprincipled," Following cries of "Lies'' from the Conservatives, Charles Clarke leapt to his aid; but the damage had toeen done. Later, Mr Clarke, showing magnanimity but perhaps not much political sense, allowed the letter to be duplicated. Mr Stewart's quotes were nowhere to be seen and the journalists from the national Press (not to mention the student Press) found themselves with a story. S.D. AI. Stewart—biggest blunder. 1 UK/VVKK. Jan. Gth, 1976—T»age Two LETTERS d • A free press — A myth in reality DEAR EDITOR,—It was interesting to read T. Donaldson's comments concerning the Soviet State and a free Press. His letter is a fair summary of the confusion experienced by many people on both these issues. As a journalist myself for five years prior to doing a degree here, I worked at all levels of journalism from local paper to parliamentary reporter. I have never come across a free Press. What does it look like ? During my five years I was bullied and badgered in an attempt to make me write things that I not only did not believe in but were often incorrect. Mqst of my time in Parliament was spent attempting to extract sense from nonsensical speeches and debates by M.P.-s that would have been bettered by most school, debating societies. After five years my resilience wore down and I gave it up. Never once during that time was I or other rank-and-file journalists on my newspaper group consulted about the political content of our newspaper and its 'leader'' columns. These v/ere phrased in the plural "we" though almost always written by one and the same person who never signed his views. They would not let me write one. On one occasion I joined an NUJ vote of censure against my paper, whose management had crept into the photographic department in the middle of the night and sent pictures of students demonstrating against the National Fi'ont in Wolverhampton to the police, on their request. I was warned that as a junior reporter (1970) my career might be soon shortened if my views did not more closely correspond to those of the management. I could supply endless more examples to Mr Donaldson of how our unfree Press works if he requires. Secondly. Mr Donaldson, late of the Communist Party himself, is correct to criticise the Soviet State, but it is an insult to the Third World struggling against national capitalism and Soviet imperialism as well as the US brand, to infer that Russia is socialist let alone communist. I suggest Mr Donaldson tears himself away from Russia-baiting to look at political developments in South-East Asia. It is no mere coincidence that the revolutionary front of Vietnam south zone turned away Russian supply ships-at the end of the Liberation War. Mr Donaldson's own spokesman. Sir Keith Joseph, speaking recently at the LSE, carefully and explicitly excluded China from his discussion of command economy versus private enterprise. The point is, China is a true socialist democratic republic with a command economy, albeit a developing one, whereas Russia resembles more a form of state capitalism dominated by a fascist military elite. Sir Keith and his colleagues not being able to slander China effectively, use the degenerate Soviet fascist state as a means of slandering Marx and Socialism, to whom the USSR only pays lip-service. CHRIS TILLEY Abortive grannies DEAR EDITOR,—In my last letter to you I argued that if the NUS free-abortion policy is based solely (as it seems to be) on the consideration that without it women are prevented from full social and political participation, then the NUS ought to sanction the (painless) disposal of bothersome grannies. Now Wendy Forrest C'Beaver'', November 18th) objects that my argument has the tacit assumption that all foetuses and grannies are human and that any appraisal nf this assumption is "moral and metaphysical" and hence (I take it) arbitrary, or a matter of linguistic convention. I cannot, however, see how the admitted conventional nature of the distinction between a human and a non-human fcetus helps those who want to dispose of foetuses but preserve grannies. After all, the point at which a granny ceases to be a human is also a linguistic convention and I cannot see what objection the NUS can have to a proposal to regard grannies as non-human. It seems to me that justificatiou for free abortion cannot come from any of the high-flown moral principles usually deployed. Those advocating this policy (as I do) should simply admit that it is an ad hoc measure bringing some advantages without incurring any organised foetal opposition. On the other hand, painless granny-killing, contemporary prejudices being what they are, would probably not go off quite so smoothly. PETER URBACH Reply to Sen DEAR EDITOR,—I am a Bangladesh citizen and I wish to make some comments on G. Sens recent article. The Pakistan army in 1971 was as much a "conquering army" as the British army is in Northern Ireland. Since 1947, army units have been stationed in East Pakistan (as Bangladesh was then known), which was recognised as an integral part of Pakistan by all members of the United Nations Organisation. The fact that public opinion in East Pakistan fully supported the state of Pakistan during the 1965 war shows that it did not regard the soldiers as occupation forces. In 1971, the army crackdown (which was eventually used as justification for Indian intervention) was precipitated by widespread atrocities committed against non-Bengali women and children by infiltrators from India disguised as East Pakistanis, and that is when it became an army of oppression. The only conqueror in 1971 was the Indian army. Within one year after the intervention, industrial machinery valued at several hmid-red mUlion dollars, as well as arms and ammunition worth more than one thousand million dollars captured from Pakistan, were taken from Bangladesh to India. Let not ideology distort history. M. A. Z. SHAH Crossword m j - B i= 1 1 ACROSS 1 Toupes for one's cochlea? (7). 2 Instruction to those who lower the tone? (5, 2). 9 A cloth for adolescents? (9). 10 Former French president (2, 6). 11 With 10, becomes the aim of most footballers! (5). 12 Queenly means of transport to new house? (6). 13 Of Yorkshire (7). 16 "Where's the Governess?'' (4, 5). 18 Teachers union perhaps follows German agreement? (5) 20 Items of business (6). 22 Toothed tiger—a dangerous weapon? (5). 24 Small quantity perhaps surrounds a canvas dwelling to the North? Be careful! (9). 25 U.S. potato state (5). 26 Former P.M.'s garden? (4). 27 Star of Aeneid (6). DOWN 1 "Outer cellular membrane investing a multicelluar animal" (9). 2 Devastates (7). 3 All articles sent to the 'Beaver' ofBce are liable for ... (9). 4 Cod? No, let's have a change (7, 3, 5). 5 Cold feet? (4, 5). 6 Suffixes forming names of hydrocarbons (4). 7 Israeli Parliament (7). 8 To enter one may result in a ducking (4). 14 Merelv frozen water following in? (9). 15 Declining I go ... (2, 3, 4). 17 Message to the voters (5, 2). 19 I take it when I a,m angry perhaps? (7). 20 Proverb (5). 21 What one has to be to answer (and compile) this crossword (especially in a forest) (5). 23 Singularly neo perhaps? (3). ANSWERS •9U0 zz "ssnaa IZ •0SBPV oz -aau-iquin 61 2.1 ¦s3op ain ox ex '.aonsnfui n -puod 8 -^assauH l -saua 9 stog c -sdtiio puB o;?i9.\BS f -uotsnpui £ •saSBA-BH Z "suwapo^oa X :UMoa •SB9U9V Lz 'ugpa: 9Z •o^BPI -uonug^v fZ ZZ -BpugSv OS '^un-Bf 81 '^^uubu U99g 9X £T -dnisga EX 's;sod IT "aunBO OX "usaiaAtaA 6 "dn 3i-B9ds c -sSt.vuBa :sso43V An overseas student comments... DEAR EDITOR,—As an overseas student , I came to L.S.E. with an open mind. I must admit that I am most amazed at the way ni which the extreme and, to some extent the Broad Left, exploit the overseas students issue to bring support to their so-called righteous cause. For instance, they complain that the present tuition fees (£320) are simply too high for overseas students. To a certain extent this is true, but as far as I know at least the L.S.E. overseas students are entitled to ask the School authorities for a reduction in their fees. The reduction allowed amounts to about a third of the fees. Several students have taken this opportunity and this has alleviated their hardship. Thus, should the extreme left in future shrill about the matter of fees, I hope they will not forget to mention that overseas students are entitled to a reduction in fees. Also, if the extreme left are really that dedicated to the task of alleviating the social hardships that Vv'e face, then they should please practise what they preach, e.g.. invite us to your homes during the holidays. I have yet to see on the School noticeboards notices from the leftist groups inviting overseas students to stay in their homes. It would thus appear that the left are only paying lip-service and basically they are just as selfish as the extreme right (at least they have frank views). Finally, may I remind members of the Communist Party that if Communism (not socialism) is supposed to solve all the major problems plaguing the capitalist West then why does Eastern Europe still suffer from low living standards and lack of personal freedom? You condemn the CIA but make no mention of the KGB and other internal security forces whose supposed purpose is to maintain stability. If the Communists are unable to solve their internal problems, then they should try to solve them and not go looking for scapegoats. However, I believe that the more moderate forms of socialism will be beneficial to Western Europe and necessary to affect certain detrimental effects of capitalism. But definitely not and never communism whose purpose is to subvert democracy and transform us into mindless robots or peasants to serve the officials (nobility) and answer their every wish. H. K, WONG Dear Mr. Checkley.. FOLLOWING your remarks concerning Beaver, the editorial staff feel that a reply is in order. You state that for journalism the paper rates zero and whilst we cai^ not accept this criticism we admit that in some areas improvements could be made. However, it must be remembered that Beaver does not employ professional journalists. We rely entirely on members of the LSE to contribute articles for publication. This system has obvious drawbacks, i.e. the articles are not handed in on time and thus very little time is available for tliem to be thoroughly checked. Also, every session there tends to be a hard core of contributors whose interests are inclined too rather specialised, thus resulting in many articles being written on the same topics, e.g. Chile, South Africa. The editorial staff are of the opinion that if these people are prepared to spend their time and energy they have a right to expect publication. If, Mr Checkley, you find such features to your disliking may we suggest that you submit some articles for publication—it must be pointed out that we have not exactly been inundated with articles from you. Another point that must be made is that all the editorial staff who work on the paper do so voluntarily, often staying in the office till the early hours to ensure that the paper is published to time, consequently the number who help "full time" can be counted on the fingers of one hand. If you or any other reader would like to help us please come along to S116 and we will welcome you with open arms (if we have the time). Finally, whilst we welcome criticism we hope it will be a little more constructive than that offered by you. As you have shown, it is very easy to formulate criticism but not so easy to sustain it. BEAVER. Jan. 6th, 1976—Pagrc Three Union news and views Union support for O/S students THE increase of tuition fees affects all students but, given the already disproportionate level of overseas student fees, the danger is that the number of overseas students in this country Vfill decrease. The LSE Students' Union's work with overseas students should be concentrated on this question, not only because a significant proportion of our membership is in danger of being ¦unable to continue their studies, but also because the whole matter of fees is linked to the question of education cuts. The argument often proclaimed by advocates of so-called economy in the approach to the overseas students, that the British taxpayer is financing their studies and that they are blocking opportunties for British students, ignores the fact that education helps not only to bridge gulfs between nations (especially between former colonies and Britain) but also brings to the country considerable economic benefits. For a long time Britain exploited her colonies. In the process she forgot to build up an education system which would meet the needs of these countries. Yet once again ¦we hear an "economic" argument from those who would like to see higher education limited to the privileged few—this time they are saying that the nation cannot afford expenditure on higher education and that we should "give a year for Britain". There is, of course, one simple question to ask. Why should we accept that such a "sacrifice" would help this country? On the con-trarj', if we accept that overseas students could be limited only to those who can afford to pay (and the argument that oil-rich comitries can pay higher fees is misleading, because not everybody outside the families of the oil sheikhs is rich), we are also accepting the same argument for British students. Following is a brief account of the work done in the first term of this academic year;— (1) LSE Students' Union ignored work with overseas students for some time. Their problems were understood as purely welfare problems (housing, finance etc.) and the whole range of questions relating to their integration into the Union were largely overlooked or at best reduced to the level of societies. 12) Overseas students are facing danger from various effects of the education cuts. There are plans to curb the number of overseas students by increasing tuition fees and by other means such as restrictions on the issuing of labour permits, on immigration etc. Work with overseas students must be judged against this background. (3) The establishment of the Overseas Students' Co-ordinating Committee has created a better plat-* form for the integration of overseas student into the Union. At the present time we still find that the years of isolation of the majority of the overseas students are a factor holding back full active participation by them. If we want to rectify this relative isolation of overseas students from the main body of the Union, we must involve the maximum possible number of them in the union structures. (4) An overseas students seminar was held on November 18th. Speakers were Trevor Philips (ULU president and NUS vice-president), Professor Dahrendorf (Director of the School) and Vishnu Sharami (Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants). About Wo hundred people attended. To improve effect of overseas students' work I would like to propose that;—• (a) activity on grants and cuts should include highlighting the financial discrimination against overseas students; (b) the housing campaign should include specific reference to discrimination against overseas students in housing; (c) international events should also highlight the role of overseas students and if possible the experiences of, say, Chilean or Zimbabwean studeiits. References should be made to the Government's policy on overseas students in terms of its international implications, i.e., the maintenance of British neo colonial influence, exploitation of developing countries, etc. There is need to step up our work with overseas students. This can be done only with co-operation by as many people as possible—especially by the Executive Committee as a whole. Without this co-operation and active involvement, this Union is in danger of losing a significant proportion of its membership. P.S.; On Wednesday, December 17th a very successful party for overseas students was held in Carr-Saunders Hall. It was organised thanks to the work of Elana Erlich, Emma Hamilton-Brown, Chris Wells and others. Without the effort they put into it, the event could never have been held. JAN SCHLING Grants saga continues CUTS in education expenditure and the amount of the grant affect all students whether they are willing to acknowledge the fact or not. An annual rate of inflation "down to 15 per cent" (sic) testifies for the need to increase the grant, not only to keep up with inflation but to ensure that all students have a "living wage". With regard to the effects of cuts, the present state of our library speaks for itself. There exists a situation in which students are forced to wait up to three hours for books in spite of a full library staff. The student-staff ratio is on tlie increase: certain courses are not being continued and "natural wastage" is ensuring that vacant academic places are not being filled. The director himself has stated that students have many just grievances! It is up to us, however, to highlight these grievances and ensure that they are remedied. , In a comprehensive motion adopted at National Conference in December the way forward for the grants campaign was clearly indicated. At the LSE it is vital that any activity is undertaken in conjunction with the trade unions present in the School through the Joint Union Representative Committee. Our actions must be consistent with our policy of cooperation and co-ordination with the trade union movement. Hence it is also important that L.S.E. students give maximum support to rallies organised by the T.U.C., not only in terms of publicity but also in terms of participation. Since 45 per cent of L.S.E. students are from overseas, it is vital that our campaign actively opposes the proposed increases in tuition and hostel fees for overseas students; in fact we should press for a reduction of all fees to tlie level of charges to home students. Simultaneously we must resist cuts in both full and part-time courses as well as the increase of the student-staff ratio. These are just some of the issues which the Grants Action Committee (i.e., you) can and will campaign around. The figure adopted as our grant demand was £985, with a London rate of £1,020, and it is these demands for which we must fight. The basic figure of £985 was carefully calculated as a reasonable demand, being below the rate of inflation since 1962, when an index was established to relate student grants to prices, and being the minimum that students can afford to live on in 1976-77. The Grants and Education Cuts Campaign is your campaign and its success depends on your active participation and support. If Government policies are implemented then the advances made in the education system will be irreparably damaged. SUPPORT YOUR GRANTS CAMPAIGN. REJECT CUTBACKS IN EDUCATION and PUBLIC SPENDING AS A WHOLE. END DISCRETIONARY AWARDS AND THE MEANS TEST. DEMAND £985 (£1,020 IN LONDON) AS A REASONABLE LIVING WAGE! TESSA MARCUS Refectory rules OK ? THE Refectory will lose more money tliis year than last year. It lost £26,494 in 1974-75 and will lose at ieast £28,062 this year. Overall the School's catering service is reducing its loss from last year's £41,901 to this year's £36,642. This is made up of the Refectory loss, plus the Robinson Room loss of £2,779, the Snack Bar loss of £1,209, the Senior Dining Rooms' loss of £5,510 and the Senior Common Room Bars loss of £156. Since those estimates were made, sales have declined more sharply than predicted, resulting in an increase in the projected loss ry £2,307 from £36,642 to £38,949. Tiie School's reasons for the lossc-s include low student grants, competition from the Union catering facilities, and London weighting. Others think the losses are due in part to not finding out what\)eople want, deliberately limiting trade in some outlets, and the centralised maii-agement system that is employed; The Senior Common Room Bar is instanced as an uneconomic use of resources, whilst the centralised system of management gives the employees no incentive to keep costs down, or even care about them. There is one certain fact—if the Union were conducting itself in a similar manner, it would be accused of financial irresponsibility. Refectory joins the whole food cult MINCED beef rolls served in the refectory have been examined and proved to contain genuine animal flesh. One student found unexpected gastronomical delights in his roll and sent a sample to the Senior Environmental Health Ofiicer who reported that it was "quite definitely of bovine origin and there is little doubt tliat the skin and hairs adhering to it were from the hide of an animal." We presume this means it is non-human. The LSE catering manager blames this cji the suppliers of, uncooked minced meat and on inattentive cooks. Short-staffed, nobody really wants the job of sorting through the minced meat, so they leave all the good bits in. The refectory has been solemnly warned to "ensure that all food prepared by them is in all respects fit for human consumption. ' But are LSE students really human? . . . May we presume to suggest that the quality of the food served lias sometliing to do with the refectory's financial difficulties? . . . Down your market... BALHAM MARKET Tues.-Sat. 9.30-5.30, Wed 9.30-1.00 HILDRETH STREET, S.W.12 Balham Market differs from the usual in being small, cheap, functional and surprisingly honest. Unlike at Berwick Street, the fruit one buys (especially from the last two stalls at the Bedford Hill end) is not rotten, lib means lib and the prices are the lowest in South London. The probable reasons for this are the size and large number of knowledgeable regulars. - Other than fruit one can buy standard and West Indian veg, fish (excellent mackerel), clothing oddments and cut-price plastic goodies. Saturdays offer more variety and at about 4.30 there are pre-weekend bargains. BRIXTON Mon.-Sat. 9.30-5.30, Wed. 9.30-1.00 This throbbing, jolly and ener- getic event sprawls between Cold-harbour Lane and Electric Avenue, so called because the first electric lights in the area were installed there. Brixton Market is an experience rather th&n a drab bargain-hunter's paradise. Shoving through the crowds, assaulted on all sides by the ricocheting beat of reggas, avoiding the stray dogs busily intent on ripping off pigs' startlingly pink tails and other interesting scraps, one is thrust into a cross between a fashion show and bedlam. No-one but the intense West Indian Mama is sizing up and comparing prices. The rest of us are "loitering" —hence the proliferation of "No loitering" signs—watching the sea of faces roll past.. The market has three covered areas which sell clothes (cheap and exceptionally badly made), half-starved pets, rancid meat, gaudy but fascinating jewellery, shoes, socks, materials etc., and an excellent selection of African and West Indian vegetables, dried fish, herbs and wigs. However, for bargains one must brave the stalls which spread over Brixton Station Road into Atlantic Road. Those nearest the high road itself are marginally the most e.x-pensive and specialise in fruit; as one progresses down the road vegetables make an appearance followed by crockery, kitchenware, toiletries, three-legged pairs of tights and a miscellany of household goods, all substantially less expensive than elsewhere and sporting brand names. The Atlantic Cafe in the third arcade is very cheap, the food ;s good and hot and one can sit there indefinitely listening to the emis- sions from its neighbour Musik City. Alternatively one can grab a beer and sandwich in the Atlantic (rough and noisy), the Railway idrab and Victorian), the Angel (warm and cheerful) or the Coach and Horses (small and friendly). Whatever you may be looking for, you'll certainly find it in Brixtcn Market, but just watch the pickpockets, the most efficient and charming bunch south of the river. SYLVIA SIERADZAN BCAVER, Jan. 6th, 1976—Pa§:e Four NUS conference. Scarborou! THIS was a conference in which the NUS sought to strengthen and reaffirm its links with the Trade Union movement. Charles Clarke made this his main theme of his opening 'speech, describing the Trade Unions as the natural allies of the student body. The cuts in public expenditure have affected both students and workers and Mr Clarke stressed that the only way to oppose them effectively is to fight a joint campaign. Our rotund President also contributed a few words to the Constitution debate, and took the opportunity to attack the National Press, an attack, which unfortunately fell on stony ground, since few representatives of the Press had at that point bothered to turn up. He linked the campaign by the Press of supporting direct elections for the NUS Executive with the "attempts to interfere in the internal democracy and accountability of trade union structures, including their electoral processes. He affirmed; "The twin principles which this conference must uphold are the maximum involvement of the NUS's members in our union . . and the principle of accountability—by which I mean the accountability of this union to this national conference and not to the judgments of the Lords of the Fleet Street Press." The rest of the first session was largely dominated by formalities, such as rearrangements of the order paper in order to prioritise certain areas of discussion, such as the International Report of the Executive and Overseas Students. Conference also spent a considerable amount of time, deciding which of the proposed guest speakers should be allowed to address the delegates, each for an average of five minutes! Probably of greatest interest was the debate concerning Entertainments, in which our own Ken Spencer represented the working party set up by NUS to investigate the problems faced by Social Secretaries and Ents Committees and to suggest solutions. One's memory of Scarborough is, in general, of four days largely dominated by formalities and procedure. For instance, the Executive report and its acceptance by Conference occupied the majority of time, and although some probing questions were asked and a number of standing orders suspended (devices used to refer back section, censure members of the Executive, etc.), the Executive usually managed to scrape through with the minimum of difficulty. Exceptions were of course the International Section, dtiring the discussion of which Sue Slipman lost her position as Convenor of the International Policy Group, and the section on Civil Liberties, which was referred back. In the debate over this section Conference was faced with the ridiculous situation of being asked to vote to remove the responsibilities of Francis Hayden who had already handed in his letter of resignation 1 The section on Overseas Students and Racism and Fascism was enlivened by an excellent speech from Trevor Phillips, President of ULU and Vice-President of NUS. It was at this point that Conference first heard of the National Front attack at UMIST and Trevor Phillips received an ovation from Conference when he voiced his opinion masterfully that the National Front should not be allowed the use of Union premises. In comparison, it appears that very little policy emerged from Scarborough with only the Constitution, Grants and Cuts. Government Economic Policy, Entertainments, Overseas Students, Emergency Motions and Housing being discussed in detail. In fact the Constitution debate resulted in no policy being decided upon and the housing motion was basically a reaffirmation of policy formulated at Llandudno last Easter. Nevertheless some important points were made in the Overseas Students and Government Economic Policy motions and policy was ratified with regard to industrial students and part-time students, both classed as minority motions. In conclusion, a few words about the LSE delegation composed of Crispin O'Brien, Peter Timmins, Ken Spencer and Wanda Goldwag with observers Maggie O'Brien, Christine Rut-son and Tony Brown. When all is said and done they did not have a great effect upon Conference, indeed one could say they had no effect at all. This, however, was not totally their fault and some of the blame must rest with LSE's inability to send any motions or amendments to Conference. But they did not even manage to ask their supplementary questions concerning the International Report, being beaten by a call to refer back the whole report. Furthermore, Tony Brown was notable for his. continued absence from the Conference floor; indeed it was more notable when he finally decided to make an appearance. His excuse was that he had been elected in order to pursue direct elections for the NUS Executive and he felt that the best way to do this was to spend his time working for Students for Representative Policies tather than representing LSE Students on the Conference floor. Perhaps the lessons learned from this Conference are that LSE should ensure that motions and amendments are submitted to Conference and that clear mandates are given to dele-, gates. In this way, LSE may be more effective at Llandudno, Easter 1976. Conference reports by Sheree Dodd. Trouble for NUS travel IN a' closed session, the Finance Committee addressed delegates for the first time at a National Conference. The reason.for this unprecedented event was that the accounts presented on behalf of NUS Travel showed a deficit of £242,000 during the 17 months of the last financial year. Although the accounts were accepted and approved by Conference, the Finance Committee stated that a further report must be presented to the Llandudno National Conference at Easter. This repoi't should show that extensive costs had been cut and that NUS Travel was on a more viable course. A host of reasons have been given for such large losses. The 17 months included two winters, always periods of high costs and low income, and also the three-day week, a cause of national financial difficulty. The floating pound has meant increasing surcharges disliked by travellers but necessary for NUS Travel and the crash of British Student Travel Centre (a subsidiary of Court Line) involved NUS Travel in expensive rescue operations for stranded students. On the international scene the Cyprus War caused the closing of Greek airspace making entry into Greece, one of the most popular destinations for holidays, very difficult. NUS Travel is expected to show a £80,000 profit at the Llandndno Conference to prove its viability and failure to do so may result in it having to close. However in the 16 weeks following May, profits of £200,000 have been recorded; the rest of the period, though is an unprofi-able time, with the onset of the winter months. It is during this period that costs will have to be kept down mainly by making cuts, such as the closing of offices where more than one exists in an area. Nevertheless, the management is confident that with help from colleges, such as in the form of free advertising, they will be able to show a profit of between £50,000 and £100,000 at Llandudno. Policy under tlii Overseas students IN the light of the increasing pressure being put on overseas students by LEAS and the Government, the motion concerning their problems and NUS reaction to them was prioritised at Scarborough. Conference soundly condemned the attacks that have been made on overseas students in the form of higher tuition and hostel fees and proposals that their numbers be drastically reduced. Indeed the motion denounces such attacks as racist, asserting that "they must be seen in the context of the increasing use of racist ai'guments by various groups which attempt to lay the blame for the (economic) crisis on ethnic minorities." The motion further argues that such attacks must also be seen as part of the overall policy of cuts in education. Overseas students have only been selected for particular attention because their isolation from the main student body and the restrictions on their activities make it difficult for them to wage an effective campaign. It is for this reason NUS is to wage a dual campaign, including both the Grants and Cuts demands and its opposition to attack^ on overseas students. Proposals for action outlined by the motion include the call for a day of action not only to highlight the hardship suffered by many overseas students but also to "indicate that educating overseas students is not a loss to the British taxpayer because of the inherent value of education." It is also proposed that the NUS Executive should meet with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals to ask them to reconsider the sentiments they expressed in their report, namely that there should be a standard fee for overseas students which should (:)e larger than that for home students" (NB—Professor Dah-rendorf opposes such a view). At the same time colleges are urged to oppose further fee in-ci'eases in tuition and hostel charges. As a postscript it is important to note that through effective campaigning Bradford University have persuaded their authorities to reduce the level of overseas students' fee to that paid by home students. At the same time the ILEA has been prevailed upon to withdraw its document proposing that the number of overseas students in ILEA colleges be drastically reduced. Such is the effect of effective opposition and campaigning ! The Constitution The Constitution debate, which had provided the most interest before the Conference, was spectacular but in retrospect entirely empty. NUS came away from Scarborough with no changes in its constitution despite a lengthy and heated debate. This came about largely as a result of manoeuvring by the chair and the failure of steering committee to clarify the situation, leading to a surfeit of confusion. The substantive motion supported by the Students for Representative Policies (previously the Radical Action Group) and the Liberal Students called for direct elections of all the members of the NUS Executive by a secret baiiot of all NUS members. Maintaining the same ideas, the Federation of Conservative Students introduced an amendment designed merely to water down the substantive since it called for the direct election only of the four sabbatical posts and the chairpersons of NUS Scotland and Wales. This was defeated. Amendment Two, supported by the NUS Executive, however, was carried by a large majority. The amendment, calling for the existing system of active democracy to be maintained, but also calling for greater publicity of the workings of NUS and Executive election, now became the substantive motion since it contained the instruction, "Delete all and msert". The debate now reached a point of confusion. Amendment Three supported by the International Socialists and the International Marxist Group, also contained the instruction, "Delete all and insert" and carried within it two basic points^support for the present system of active democracy but a call for Executive hustings to be held in individual colleges and the demand that sabbatical ofiEicers should receive a salary on a level relative to the student grant. It was immediately obvious that certain groups supported certain parts of the motion, for a call for it to be taken in parts was quickly made. The chair did not seem very keen to do this (partiality or ignorance, either could have been the reason) and in the ensuing confusion both parts were accepted and the amendment itself was carried- Amendment Two fell and Amendment Three became the substantive. By this time it was midnight and the fact that it was the witching hour may in part explain what happened next, for when it came to formally accept Amendment Three (now the substantive) as policy. Conference suddenly changed its mind and rejected it! As cries of "Fix" and calls for a card vote echoed around the hall. Steering Committee reminded Conference that it would have to adjourn because it was well past midnight, and finally, in desperation, switched the microphones off. The card vote next morning showed a resounding rejection of the motion and Conference ended up with no policy on the Constitution. You could say that it was a case ol "everything deleted and nothmg inserted"! BEAVER, Jan. 6tli, 1976—Pagre Five gh, 5th-8th December 1975 he microscope Covt economic policy IN his opening speech, Charles Clirk^, President of NUS. stated: •"ne natural allies of the student boic are no longer the chambers of tommerce—they are the trade unions. And it is clear that the puitc expenditure cuts are a central part of the Government's economic strategy." In this way Mr Clarke sought to illustrate that the NUS should involve itself in trade union campaigns and struggles. The mrtion on Government economic pojcy reflects this. ia the motion Conference coii-denns the Government's policy of cuti in public expenditure and afftms that they "will result in a funher shift of wealth away from thuorking people to the monopo-Ucsaud employing cla^s." Furlh.;r--more, by restricting demand and puiilic spending the Government "will not aid employment (viz, bulding industry and education) and this will result in falling living standards." Policies of wage freezes and unemployment are rejected as the traditional policies of capitalism in crisis. "The motion makes demands of th( Government on the same lines as [he Tribune Group of the Labour Patyby calling for:— (aithe introduction of selective import controls; (b)much greater finance for the National Enterprise Board so that it is.able to bring into public control profitable firms in all sectors of industry; (c) the nationalisation of banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions; (d) the full implementation of the Industry Bill; (e> the immediate tackling of the unemployment problem; (f) strict price controls on essential items; ig) the imposition of a substantial wealth tax; (h) drastic reductions in defence expenditure; (i) a public investment programme to raise productivity and create jobs; (j) the qontrol of export of capital: (k) greater control of multinational companies; (i) the restoration and expansion of public social expenditure. An ideology with which to tackle the economic crisis is also suggested to the Government: "The Government must tackle the necessary and urgent task of attacking the crisis at its roots, thus laying the foundation for bringing about "the fundamental and irreversible shift in the balance of wealth and power in favour of working people and their families." Participation by the NUS on this issue is to include a nationwide campaign in conjunction with the trade unions, climaxing in a demonstration to be held in February or March possibly combined with the grants demonstration. Grants and cuts JUST before the Scarborough Conference, the Executive submitted a claim to the DES for the Annual Grants Review. The demand is for £9SS (London £1,080), calculated to bring students back up to their 19(2 standard of living. More moiey is only part of NUS's Gnnts policy as restated at Con-fennce. As restated at Con-feence, equal priority in the cam-pagn is given to the abolition of tht means test, discretionary awrtls, availability of grants for post-te years education, and a host of other anomalies in the grant system (e.g. spouses contribution, materials grants for arts students, dependents allowances for non-married students). The aim for a fairer and wider ragging grants system goes hand in liand with the aim for wider edicational opportunities. With edwatlonal expenditure being cut at present, those opportunities, especially in the non-university sectors, are shrinking. The cuts are by no means small, e.g. with regard to building programmes: University Grants Committee—£8 million; Polytechnic and F^irther Education Colleges—£14 million— in 1976/7T. The Grants motion passed at Scarborough is basically a restatement (but a necessary one) of previous policy of opposition to education cuts and the need to work against them alongside the Trade Union Movement. Action, in the form of a demonstration, is planned for this term, and planned to coincide with the DES's deliberations over next year's grant. £1080 for London may sound a lot—but this year's grant of £810 represents only 87 per cent of the purchasing power students had in 1962. GILL HIBBERT Entertainments Bitertainments lias finally become a field for NUS to get involved in. Ths has come about as a result of the news that this year over £50),000 will be lost by student unins throughout the country thnngh unnecessary entertainments deficits. The working party set up at Margate Conference in 1974 repotted its findings at Scarborough and recommended that a new Ents Department should be established in the NUS. The working party affirmed in the report that social secretaries must be able to receive professional advice about band prices, tour arrangements, budgetary control from pi'ofessional advisers based centrally and regionally. In this way defipil:s wiU be reduced as colleges co-operate and the social secretaries will be brought into the mainstream of NUS activity, from which they have too long been isolated. Although a motion accepting the report and urging Executive action was passed overwhelmingly, there had been some opposition from the NUS Executive which argued that it would not have time to establis'n an Ents department before March 1st 1976. Furthermore, it was affirrhed that in a time of financial stringency for the NUS, the creation of this department would mean a need for priority adjustments—an unwise move. Emergency motions Angola and Southern Africa THE call for an emergency motion to ciebate the current situation in Angola was supported by 101 Constituent Organisations of the NUS. In the motion NUS reaffirms its support for the MPLA (the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) and at the same time voices its opposition to the FNLA and UNITA who are encouraging imperialist intervention in the country. South Africa's invasion of Angola is seen as a further manifestation of its aggressive policies and the motion instructs the Executive to demand that the British Government takes immediate action at the United Nations to end the invasion, and that it should recognise the People's Republic of Angola and establish diplo-tmatic relations with the new state. For a fuller analysis of the situation in Angola see the article on page six. Closures and mergers TH£ Emergency motion on Mergers and Closures was called for as a result of the Church of England's general s.ynod's decision to close three of its colleges of education and probably a fourth after an experimental period ef one or two years. The fourth is the much publicised teacher training college, St. Mary's, Tottenham, which was also to be closed until the proposal attracted opposition from influential quarters. The motion recognises that these closures mean that the number of colleges which are to be closed is far greater than the number in the Department of Education and Science's lists. The closures do not taken into account the number of colleges of education that ai'e to be merged on purely financial bases. Such closures and mergers will have a detrimental effect on National Front ON 30th November 1975 a National Council for Civil Liberties meeting on "The State.- the Law and Ireland" held at the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology Union was violently broken up by the National Front. Many of those present at the meeting, were beaten up and eight had their injuries treated at hospital; furthermore damage estimated at £1,200 was caused to the UMIST Union. Conference utterly condemned this vicious and calculated attack in an emergency motion tabled by UMIST and others. The motion basically reaffirms NUS policy not to give a platform to racist and fascist speakers, in particular to members of the National Front. The notion that the National Front should be allowed to make its views known on the basis of the democratic right to speak was rejected by Conference on the grounds that the National Front itself is opposed to democratic freedoms. Indeed, the motion states : "Such actions (as the disruption of the NCCL meeting) clearly place the National Front outside the democratic political framework of the country and that in no way can the Devolution THE Government White Paper "Our Changing Democracy ; Devolution to Scotland and Wales," ¦ published on 27th November came under attack at Scarborough. The proposals contained in the White Paper are described as falling "far short-of meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Welsh and Scottish people" since they do not give the proposed Scottish and Welsh assemblies control over trade, industry and the Scottish and Welsh economies. The question of the future financial control of the Scottish Universities is also highlighted by the motion. The White Paper contains proposals to separate the University sector from the other sectors by putting them under the financial auspices of a United Kingdom University Grants Committee. The motion states : "That the educational system in a society must reflect the needs and aspirations of that society and must therefore be open fully to democratic control" : for this reason the Scot- the education system because, they will lead to an increase in the pupil/teacher ratio, whilst what is needed to improve the quality of teaching in schools is a reduction in class sizes. It is proposed that NUS should take a tougher line over the'closure and mergers question because they also represent a facet of the Government's cuts policy. NUS Executive and the Teacher/Education National Committee are instructed to convene meetings of colleges facing closure to co-ordinate activity and provide a national focus for the campaign to stop college closures. The campaign is also to include a national day of action in the teacher education sector and demonstrations, and lobbies in every area where colleges are threatened by closure to highlight the crisis in teacher education. National Front be considered as a normal or acceptable part of the political scene." The motion also calls for the Home Secretary, Roy Jenkins, to set up a public enquiry to investigate the events which took place at UMIST ; the enquiry is also to look into the involvement of the National Front in creating political violence at other events with a view to banning them as" an "organisation in Britain. At the same time the Executive is called upon to press for the prosecution of those arrested by the police after the UMIST incident. However, an Amendment tabled by UMIST instructing Constituent Organisations of NUS to follow UMIST's example in banning a Union member known to belong to the National Front was defeated following a highly charged debate. Charles Clarke argued that to expel members was not the solution. Such aclions would merely weaken the fundamental democracy of NUS—a situation which the National Front wanted. The fight against such organisations as the National Front must be on an organisational basis, and must be undertaken alongside the Labour Movement. tish Universities must be controlled by the Scottish Assembly. . The Executive is urged to establish a Working Party of representatives from the Scottish. Welsh and National Executives to co-ordinate a campaign pressing for the setting up of Assemblies in Scotland and Wales with powers over industry, trade and education. Although the substantive motion was passed with little opposition, an Amendment tabled by Jordanhill College of Education on behalf of the Clause Four Labour Party Students aroused both anger and opposition which is likely to continue at the next meeting of the Scottish Council of the NUS. This amendment condemned the Scottish Nationalist Party as opportunist, dishonest and fundamentally right wing. Such a statement was attacked by the Federation of Student Nationalists as misleading and it is obvious that it is going to cause a great deal of bad feeling within NUS. BEAVER, Jan. 6th, 19;6—Page Six Angola and apartheid ON November 18th Hilgard Muller, the Foreign Minister of South Africa, stated in London: "It is no secret that South African troops and aircraft are at present in Angola." This was in spite of South Africa's bogus policy of detente which has led her to claim that the regime "has no intention of fighting an offensive war against anybody." Furthermore, in the current fiscal year the fascist regime is spending 948 million rands on defence, a figure which will soar as the country has to meet post-devaluation costs for overseas commitments. These facts show clearly that South Africa is on the offensive in an attempt to extend her control and domination to the whole' of southern Africa. The myth of invincibility so loudly proffered by imperialist forces was shattered by the defeat of Portuguese colonialism and the sub-tequent independence of Mozambique under the leadership of Frelimo. Equally effective \vas the victory of the Vietnamese people in April. These victories have been tremendous sources of inspiration for the struggling people in southern Africa as a whole, and in South Africa in particular. They have been reflected inside South Africa by increasing opposition to the regime's fascist policies on the part of workers and students. For example, the South African mining industry has been faced with an unprecedented wave of strikes and riots, in which, according to official figures, 11,000 Africans from neighbouring countries were repatriated, 114 were killed and 528 were injured. African trade unions are not recognised in South Africa. This means that daily workers who protest and strike are summarily dismissed and banished to arid "homelands" (formerly and more accurately referred to as reserves) with no future opportunity to work in their lifetime ! Leaders of strikes are dealt with by police, often resulting in fines and imprisonment. Under the apartheid regime, Africans are no strangers to the insides of prisons—2,000 Africans are arrested per day on pass offences alone and the annual prison population amounts to 500,000. The South African student movements, both black and white, have strongly protested against internal policies, resulting in mass arrests and detentions. The Vorster regime is continuing ¦ its wave of arrests under the Terrorism Act, according to which detainees are held incommunicado at the fascists' pleasure without access to family, friends or lawyers. In the case of Namibia; instead of withdrawing from the illegally occupied territorj', South Africa is sending in troop reinforcements including "some of the country's toughest and most highly trained combat troops." The regime is on the offensive both inside Namibia and Angola, and her aggressive activities must not be ignored. Yet at the same time with regards to Rhodesia, we are asked to look to Vorster and his regime as the "doves of Peace", who , bring with them only moderation (sic). Finally, we must return to Angola. On December 7th, the NUS conference at Scarborough, recognising the importance of the struggle of the Angolan people, led by the" MPLA (the Popular Liberation Movement of Angola) accepted an emergency motion submitted by 101 colleges. This motion recognised as the only true liberation movement the MPLA on the basis of its consistent struggle against colonialism and now against neo-colonialism and imperialism. Furthermore, the resolution condemned the war of foreign intervention being carried out by the agents of imperialism, i.e. FNLA and UNITA, the leadership of which, under colonial rule openly co-operated with the Portuguese colonialists in an attempt to destroy the MPLA, and who today are co-operating with the South Africans and the CIA with the same objective in mind. Just as the British student movement clearly showed its support for the Vietnamese liberation struggle during the 'sixties and early 'seventies, so today it must show its solidarity with the Angolan struggle for peace, progress and independence led by the MPLA. By doing so it will act in solidarity with all liberation movements in southern Africa. Victory for the MPLA is vital for the success of the struggles in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. Support the Anti-Apartheid Movement both at the LSE and nationally and the Solidarity Committees for Namibia and Angola. TESSA MARCUS Sporting Beaver Didn't we do well AFTER an indifferent start to the season, the L.S.E. cross-country team is at last beginnhig to make an impact on the London Colleges cross-country scene, and in the past few weeks has firmly asserted itself as one-of the top London College teams—second only to Imperial College. In this year's U.L. championships L.S.E. comfortably took second place and championship medals following a hard race at parliament Hill Fields. Stars of the L.S.E, team were Rob Heath and Alvaro Gon-alez, who finished 6th and 7th respectively, and these two were solidly backed by Roger Woodgate, Nick Archer, Andy Goodchild and Simon Attwood, who completed the team. Moving on to the other major competition, the London Colleges League, the L.S.E. 1st team had a poor first race and could only man- age sixth place. However, since then they have moved up the table to take third place and hope to consolidate further on their position later in the term. Meanwhile, in the 2nd Division the L.S.E, 2nd team is well placed in seventh position to make a bid for promotion later in the term. The second team has a distinctly international flavour about it this year, led by Er\yin Ponitz from Austria with Harry Mungalsingh from Trinidad, John Quinn from Loftus Road, S. Gabbateatis from Greece and Pete Morgan from Norway. U.L. Cross-country championship results : 1st: t.C. (3Jpts.) 2nd : L.S.E. (81 pts.) 3rd : Barts (124 pts.) 4th : Royal Vets <145 pts.) 5th : U.C. <15fl pts.) 6th: R.H.C. (172 pts.) NkCK ARCHER. Roseberry snookered in goal feast THE L.S.E. Snooker Club extended its interests to football one Sunday last term by challenging a representative Rosebei-y Hall team to a game of 4-a-side soccer. As two of the Snooker Club four were whisked from their secret hideaway somewhere in North London to the venue, anxious groups of rival supporters massed in and around the ground. The game got off to a lively start as both teams produced the new Spurs brand of 100 mph football with both 'keepers being kept on their toes. A Rosebery attack came to -nothing. Wegorzewski picked up the ball and found Sutherland on the left. The Snooker Club striker blistered down the left flank and rifled home an ace. Rosebery came back well to equalise but half time found the Potters with a hai'd-eaij)ed 3-1 advantage. Mr Garlick (that well-known, one-armed referee from Ashton-under-Lyme) kept good control and had to reprimand Potters' coach Colin (Mr Shithead-to-you) Hughts who rushed on to congratulate Smith on. a brilliant solo effort. Despite bone-crunching tackling from Newton, sterling work from Vincent, Patterson's brave goal-keeping and inspired play by mid-field dynamo Whitfield, the Potters grew in confidence and scored freely. In the end Smith's sharp-shooting, Butler's blockbusters, Sutherland's side-step and Wegor-zewski's wizardry dispirited a flagging Rosebery four. The final whistle saw the rampant Potters victors by 12 goals to five. Cheap *ti tasty HERE is another batch of suggestions that flow readily from my pen, based on that most economical cf creatures, the chicken. Before you dismiss it as bland and baring, let me remind you that this enables us to add ANY herb or «pice to it and therefore you could eat it for a week and not experience any similarity in taste or texture. A 31b. bird can last two people at least four meals, here's how. ROAST CHICKEN If you roast your chicken first, then all the other recipes are quick and easy, so even if you dislike straight roast, roast it and use the cooked meat for something else. It IS best to buy a whole chicken, rather than pre-packed joints, and an un-cooked rather than cooked bird (you then get the juices that the factory roasts drain off and sell to Oxo). Finally, fresh chickens are less likely to come from factory farms than frozen—and always take the giblets if offered, they're invaluable for soup. HOW TO STORE CHICKEN (D Frozen : Keep deep frozen in freezer comjjartment. If slightly defrosted keep in fridge or pantry with eellophane off. (2) Fresh: Do not deep freeze. Keep in fridge or pantry. <3) When cooked: Keep in oven or pantry in winter ; fridge or pan-ti-y in summer. (4) Defrosting: Leave chicken unwrapped in a fridge, or on the draining board for at least ten hours. Always defrost thoroughly before cooking, unless you want Salmonella ortance of CES, visits will be arranged by the Welfare Office this term. LSE The next stage was a return to negotiations with the school for an LSE nursery. Obviously, financial calculations followed the school's acceptance of the idea in principle. Money is related to location and size which necessitated an extensive survey to determine the demand for such facilities. The survey last Spring indicated that no less than 62 members of the LSE re-quired^a nursery place. The point was made. Economics then became the major issue of debate. Students demanded that two lecture rooms in St. Clement's building be converted to accommodate at least 25 children. Academic and time-tabling repercussions of losing two lecture rooms brought forth calculations of the cost of replacing these two rooms elsewhere. The School preferred to offer other smaller premises instead—the Parish Hall. Autumn 1975 saw the establishment of a nursery sub-committee of the Student Health Service Committee to iron out the final details. Dr. Leigh and Dr. Payne came from the Student Health Committee and student representatives from the Union Nursery Action Campaign which had pioneered last year's mobilisation. The committee made a comparative study of similar nurseries with regard to hours of opening, notice of absence, periods of use, medical arrangements and termination of registration The criteria for allocation of places would be on a first-come-first-served basis but reco.gnising that users would range from undergraduates, postgraduates non-academic, research and academic staff. Much discussion centred on fees. With the school paying the capital costs of conversion, the annual interest repayment and £4,000 as a subsidy for running costs, the committee faced the onerous task of what fees would cover the remaining £6,000 expenses. Excluding the cost of a half portion refectory lunch, suggestions included 10 users paying £7 per week and five paying £14 to almost all the permutations thereof. In an additional effort to lower the fees as much as possible, a one-day collection for a Nursery Hardship Fund raised £200. Although wary of a "means test" system, it was finally decided that a three-tier system would be adopted allowing five users each to pay either £5, £8 or £13.50 according to income. It was further noted that if the running costs were to prove less expensive, the first two fee scales would be adjusted downwards. POSTSCRIPT Interviews for a nursery matron began at the end of last term when the projected opening date for the nursery was February 1976. Student parents may apply in writing direct to the ma:tron or via the Welfare Office. BWNIC victorious THE trial of the BWNIC 14 is triumphantly over. After 51 weeks of tedium, interspersed with chaos, farce, and occasional drama, the jury eventually retired for an hour and a half and brought in acquittals on all 31 counts. As 14th conspirator in a cast of 14 conspiratoi's, 12 jurors, 20-odd lawyers, court officials, and over one hundred witnesses, my own part was fairly small — one bi'ief, hour-long speech from the dock, a few scattered references in the course of the proceedings, and that was it. Still, 1 sat through it all, and besides drawing pictures of the witnesses, managed to make sense out of most of it. The basic details were clear ; The British Withdrawal from Northern Ireland Campaign (BWNIC) set out (among other things) to info-rm soldiers of various ways in which they could leave the army. Leaflets were distributed at Devizes and Aldershot. A stall was held in a market. Soldiers were informed of various organisations which exist to help soldiers by counselling, legal advice, etc. A few soldiers for whom legal discharge was impossible may have taken advantage of the information about Sweden contained in the famous leaflet, "Some Information for Discontented Soldiers." It was'fairly generally agreed by lawyers on both sides that to break the Incitement to Disaffection Act it was necessary to try to persuade soldiers to a course of action contrary to traditional duty of allegiance, rather than just supply them with information and allow them to reach their own conclusions. The eventual decision, after the rhetoric of the prosecution, favoured the detailed repeated evidence of the defence, proving that we were prepared to treat each soldier as an individual, and go into his problems according to their own merits, rather than push on to them some political panacea. So, we won. The jury accepted our intent . . . and the world still goes on. There's still a great deal of work to be done. both by BWNIC, making further contact with soldiers, and by other organisations of the left possibly approaching the situation from a different perspective. Even now,' the conspiracy laws remain, and the Incitement to Disaffection Act remains. The situation in Northern Ireland is as bloody and hopeless as it has ever been. For those who are interested in the ongoing work of BWNIC, either in the direct contact work with soldiers, or the political, in- own law!! THE Government, which employs archeeologists in the City of London, is forcing them to break the law. Since April 1975, it has been illegal to work as 'lump' labour, i.e., no tax or national insurance is paid by either the employer or employee. This is something the archaeologists have been forced into doing. The financing o^ the archaeologists is divided between' the Department of the Enviroitinent and the City Corporation, but administered by the London Museum. UnAil very recently the museum has also been guilty of non-adherence to the law by not issuing the archaeologists with contracts of employment. It has revised this policy solely to enable the Inland Revenue and the Department of Health and Social Security to collect the an-ears arising from the non-payment of tax and National Insurance. The Museum lias refused to accept responsibility for this state of affairs but is offering the underpaid archce-ologists (some "earn" as little ns £12 per week), a small donation to offset the burden of the arrears SSCs THE academic wranglings of the Lent term should begin sooner or later with a new round of staff / student committees. Beaver has done its best to find out what departments are having committees, and when, but there appears to be either a lack of knowledge or a surfeit of cageyness around departmental offices. As a result we can only present these few New Year's offerings; .Sociology: January 20. Soc. Admin: January 21. The rest should be held sometime at the beginning of next term— keep your ears to the ground. 'Beaver' will try to keep you informed. NT SD formation pressure campaign concerning Ireland, there is a monthly meeting of the London group, and a regular weekly project in Aldershot which needs support. There will be a General Meeting in London on January 31st (contact BWNIC, c/o 5 Caledonian Road, Nl). I'll be around LSE, and I hope the LSE Troops Out Movement group will start work again around the general theme of political repression in Ireland. PAUL SEED. bill. Howevei', in order to keep the wage bill at the same limit, the London Museum has adopted policy of reducing take-home pay via tax and insurance deductions. The overall result has been that, in spite of inflation and the need to increase their earnings, the archaeologists will face a savage cut in real pay compared with their earnings last year. The Museum's final insult to its employees is to offer the majority of them contracts in which the rate of pay is the lowest grade in local government, defined in official pamphlets as "under 21 with two 'O" levels." However, most of those concerned have degrees, and diplomas in archaeology, and all have years of experience. In response to this appalling state of affairs, the archaeologists joined a trade union (ASTMS), which resulted in the archaeologist who liaised with the Union being sacked. Honourable academics The Court of Governors has elected the following people as Honorary Fellows of the LSE:— The Rt Hon Errol W. Barrow; Sir Maurice Kendall; FYofessor Lucy Mair; Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Professor William N. Medlicott; Mr Gilbert J. Ponsonby. The Honorary Fellowshsips were instituted in 1958. The Fellows are elected each Michaelmas term. These are persons, usually former students of the School, who have attained distinction in the arts, sciences or public life, or persons who have rendered exceptional services to the School, or to the arts, science, or public life. Well, at least we've got one thing in common with them all—they've all graced the LSE with their presence. Shop thrives The Union Shop took more money last term than it previously managed in a whole year's trading. The most the shop had ever taken was £9,801 in 1973-74. Since it reopened in September, it has taken £12,312, and the management's aim of taking over £27,000 for the year seems to be achievable. When compared with the disaster year of 1974-75, in which only £4,529 was taken, the recovery is even more remarkable. THIS 'BEAVER' was produced by Sheree Dodd, Claire Lynch, Anton Chapman, Gilly Meld-rum, Michael Cleary, Munju Taylor, Phil Burns, Mary Sewell with help from friends Gill and Bev, Nikki Tait and all. All opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writers'. Why don't you write for the next issue? Copy date is Monday, January 12th. Why don't you come along and give us a hand on Tuesday, January 13th ? © London School of Economics and Students' Union, 1976. BWNIC 14 before the Trial Printed by Ripley Printers Ltd., Ripley, Derby. Published by London School of Economics and Political Science, Students' Union, St. Clement's Buildings, Claremarket, London, WC2A 2AE.