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

Engineering Courses

Question: As a former chemical engineer, I too congratulate the Minister on his speech at the institution. As the Government are seriously considering and exploring the nuclear option for our energy programme, has my hon. Friend assessed whether we have adequate undergraduates studying physics and nuclear engineering to deliver that option?

Answer: Again, I thank my hon. Friend for his kind remarks—perhaps I should quit while I am ahead. We are attracting more undergraduates to science courses. This year, there has been a 10 per cent. increase in the number of applicants for science courses, so we are making huge progress. Perhaps some of the science and engineering skills that those young people are developing will be needed by the Conservatives as they develop their new flip-flop machine.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 442 c993
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Admissions Further education Higher education Students Science Nuclear physics Nuclear engineering Education Engineering Training Young people
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk