Honorary degrees

Leicester University

DMus: The Lindsay string quartet: Peter Cropper, Ronald Birks, Robin Ireland and Bernard Gregor-Smith.

DLitt: John Sutherland, Lord Northcliffe professor of modern English literature, University College, London, fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

DSc: Hakan Morgan, president and chief officer of Astra AB; David Hempelman-Adams, explorer, winner of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society's Livingstone Medal 1997 and the Royal Humane Society's bronze award for bravery; Harold Kroto, Royal Society research professor, Nobel laureate for chemistry (1996); Donald Irvine, president of the General Medical Council, regional adviser in general practice at the University of Newcastle; LLD: Wendy Hickling, chairman of the Fosse Health Trust, lay member of the interview panel for judicial appointments, member of the university's court and council; Helena Kennedy, QC, broadcaster and journalist on law and women's rights; A.M. Ahmadi, chief justice of India, chairman of the Gujarat State Third Pay Commission and of the advisory board under the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act; David Jones, chief executive of Next plc.

University of Glasgow LLD: Jack Shaw, former chairman of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council, Johnstone Smith chair of accountancy until 1982, deputy governor, Bank of Scotland.

University of Middlesex DUniv: Mervyn Bramley, chief scientist to the Environment Agency; Mike Gatting, England and Middlesex cricketer; Pauline Green, member of the European Parliament for North London and chair of the socialist group within the parliament; Charles Handy, academic, author and writer on advances in technology and economics in the workplace; Michael Harrison, vice-chancellor of Wolverhampton University; Evelyn Macleod, leader of the House of Lords, president of the National Association of Widows, co-founder of Crisis at Christmas; John Pattison, dean of the Royal Free/University College Hospital Medical School; Michael Portillo, former cabinet minister and MP for Enfield Southgate; Mary Ward, head of Chickenshed Theatre Company; Roger Waterhouse, vice-chancellor of Derby University.

MUniv: Graham Daling, local historian and author; John Salisbury, head of Aylward School, Enfield.

University of Bristol DEng: Alan Davenport, professor of civil engineer, University of Western Ontario.

DLitt: Harold Pinter, playwrightand director; Pierre Viald-Naquet, ancient historian; Anthony Wrigly, professor of economic history and president of the British Academy.

DSc: Claude All gre, earthscientist, professor and minister for education, science and technology, France; Albrecht Frohlich,mathematician, professor; Keith McCullagh, biotechnologist and chief executive of BritishBiotech plc.

LLD: Rosalind Pery, supporter of the Institute of Child Health, vice-chairman, Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, chairman of the Eastman Dental Institute; Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition and democratic campaigner, Burma.

MA: Jack Fisk, public servant in health, local government and the local community, twice lord mayor of Bristol; Mary Sansbury, initiator of Bristol Research into Alzheimer's and Care of the Elderly; David Shattock, retiring chief constable of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

University of Liverpool DLitt: George Bass, professor and archaeological director, Texas A&M University; Anthony Sher, actor, artist and novelist.

LLD: Mary Arden, dame, chairman of the Law Commission; Lynda Chalker, former MP for Wallasey and minister for overseas development; Ong Teng Cheong, president of Singapore; Ian Tod, stockbroker and chairman of the university's investmentscommittee.

DSc: David Jack, pharmacologist, former director of research and development, Glaxo Holdings; Ghillean Prance, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.