Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Nadine Dorries (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 9 February 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Engineering Courses

Question: I hope that the House will join me in congratulating Harlington school in my constituency on achieving specialist science college status this week. However, we are all concerned that a number of university science departments have closed over the past two years. Will the Minister explain the rationale of establishing science colleges while closing university science departments?

Answer: I am delighted that Harlington school has benefited from extra Government investment to support science in schools. There is a positive and growing relationship between universities and industry in developing new courses to ensure that the industry recruits the type of students, especially engineers, as well as science and manufacturing specialists, who can provide new developments. Partnership is the most important thing—between universities and organisations and companies such as Rolls-Royce and Airbus. Such partnerships will ensure that we deliver both quality and the quantity of skilled engineers that our country requires.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 442 c992-3
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Education Further education Higher education Engineering Schools Science Training Young people
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk