Written question asked by Lord Anderson of Swansea (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 June 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 July 2004. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 15 July 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 steps he will take to arrest the decline of chemistry teaching in universities and institutions of higher education, with particular reference to financial incentives to students.

Answer: Donald Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he will take to arrest the decline of chemistry teaching in universities and institutions of higher education, with particular reference to financial incentives to students. [182368] Alan Johnson: We are currently discussing with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), and a number of other stakeholders how best to safeguard the national provision of scientific subjects, including chemistry. The role of financial incentives for students is relevant to this discussion. With the advent of variable fees, Higher Education Institutions will have flexibility to vary the level of fees for particular courses. There is also a role for bursary schemes such as that already announced by the Institute of Physics for students of Physics.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 182368; 423 c1247W;423 c1247-8W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Admissions Chemistry Incentives Higher education Universities Students
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk