Firstly I think that this it is really good idea that you are engaging the students of St Georges through this blog.
As I am sure you are aware there is a lot of strong feeling about the merger from the students.
I feel some students especially the Rugby teams are opposed to the merger for purely patriotic reasons rather than looking clearly at the reality of the situation.
For courses especially Biomed of which I am a student a multifacility university would offer a great leap forward in terms of course design teaching and resources.
At this point more information is essential so people can make an informed decision. A referendum from the students and teachers should also be considered as it is their future which is most at stake.

Yours Sincerely,

St Georges Student

Perhaps you could share with us the procedures and processes for dealing with other ‘ethics committees’ and organisations such as the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. And how the Lords come to decide on topics such as so-called ‘chimaera’ technology, stem-cell research and so forth.

Gordon Brown was asked in the other place today about ‘whipping’ in the Lords [which to me somewhat defeats the object...] on such issues, and whether there would a ‘free vote’ on related matters.

For example, although Nadine Dorries MP was recently unsuccessful in amending abortion legislation, there is some concern about a trend to reduce abortion rights in some areas. Cameron appears to have some sympathy with this – would the Lords row behind him on this, or see it is a thin end of the wedge to undermine the pro-choice consensus?

You are clearly much closer to the detail on all this, so perhaps an insight into the thought processes and procedures might be useful.