---

Higher Education Fees

The hon. Gentleman, as usual, is grandstanding. I totally disagree, and the Welsh Government's proposals last week will not make any difference to the funding gap. In the lead-up to this debate, I have been happy to sign amendments by Liberal Democrat Members who oppose the fees increases, and I have tabled my own. I congratulate them on their principled stance, but that action needs to translate into voting against the substantive motion in the name of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable). To those Government Members who are considering abstaining tonight, I say that abstaining on this issue would be just as good as voting in favour, so I urge them to join us in the Lobby later.