Written question asked by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) on Tuesday, 14 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 December 2004. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the closure of science-based departments at UK universities.

Answer: Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the closure of science-based departments at UK universities. [205701] Dr. Howells: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous organisations responsible for their own academic direction and strategic use of funds. The Government are nevertheless concerned to ensure that the UK has the right stock and flow of skilled scientists. The Science and Innovation Investment framework 2004-2014, published in July, set out a range of measures to address this. More recently, the Secretary of State wrote to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) seeking their advice on subjects or courses of national strategic importance, where intervention might be appropriate to strengthen or secure them.

Secondary information