137.Section 48 imposes a general duty on HEFCW to take into account the importance of protecting academic freedom in exercising their functions under the Act. In particular, HEFCW must take into account the importance of protecting the freedom of institutions to determine the matters listed in section 48(a) to (c). Where the exercise by HEFCW of a function under the Act has no relevance to the protection of institutional freedoms, or where the exercise of a function involves no choice on the part of HEFCW, the duty in section 48 will not, in practice, require HEFCW to take any additional action.