Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Paul Farrelly (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 December 2004. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Monday, 20 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, what discussions the Higher Education Funding Council for England has had with the University of Keele on proposals to close the University's physics department; if he will request that the Higher Education Funding Council for England discusses with the University of Keele the conclusions of its Science at Keele Review; if he will request that the Higher Education Funding Council for England contacts the University of Keele before the meeting of the University's Council on 16th December to discuss the reasons for the proposal to close its physics course; if he will request that the Higher Education Funding Council for England urgently assess the impact of the proposed closure of the physics department at the University of Keele on (a) access for students to basic science in North Staffordshire and (b) the economic and regeneration prospects of this sub-region; what discussions his Department has had with the University of Keele on its proposals to close its physics and astrophysics courses. (Holding answer 13 December 2004).
Answer

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what discussions the Higher Education Funding Council for England has had with the University of Keele on proposals to close the University's physics department; [204047] (2) if he will request that the Higher Education Funding Council for England discusses with the University of Keele the conclusions of its Science at Keele Review; [204048] (3) if he will request that the Higher Education Funding Council for England contacts the University of Keele before the meeting of the University's Council on 16 December to discuss the reasons for the proposal to close its physics course; [204049] (4) if he will request that the Higher Education Funding Council for England urgently assess the impact of the proposed closure of the physics department at the University of Keele on (a) access for students to basic science in North Staffordshire and (b) the economic and regeneration prospects of this sub-region; [204050] (5) what discussions his Department has had with the University of Keele on its proposals to close its physics and astrophysics courses. [204051] Dr. Howells: [holding answer 13 December 2004]: Higher Education Institutions are autonomous organisations responsible for their own academic direction and strategic use of funds. In considering their future plans, including the Science at Keele Review, Keele university has discussed possibilities and implications with several interested bodies, locally and regionally, including the Higher Education Funding Council for England. They continue to be in regular contact. I understand that no final decisions on any proposals have been reached.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
428 c1368W;428 c1367W; 204047;204048;204049;204050;204051
Session
2004-05
Subjects
Closures Higher Education Funding Council for England Student numbers Staffordshire Keele University Astrophysics Physics
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk