§ 11. Mrs. Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby)If he will make a statement on the initiatives undertaken by his Department to address skill shortages in the engineering and IT sectors. [123344]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment (Mr. Malcolm Wicks)This is, of course, a serious question. Briefly, the number of undergraduates enrolling in computer studies is increasing. With the national training organisations, the university for industry and the new Learning and Skills Council, we are tackling the issue. We are keen to ensure that more women enter careers in both computer science and engineering.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his answer. He will know, as I do, that there are a significant number of vacancies within the UK for qualified engineers and information technology literate individuals. These people are desperately sought. I welcome the significant number of initiatives that have been taken by my hon. Friend's Department to promote the understanding of science, engineering and technology. What further initiatives does he have in mind to promote the public understanding of science, and thus possibly induce more young people into an exciting career?
§ Mr. WicksOne of the relevant new initiatives is the new Connexions service—the youth support service—for 13 to 19-year-olds. It is designed to give each and every child first-class information and guidance about learning opportunities and careers. The role of the national training organisations is also important. I shall be happy to discuss the matter in more detail with my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield)The Minister will be aware that the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals has said that funding for universities needs to 419 be reformed. It has suggested that engineering courses will have to cost rather more in tuition fees than, for example, arts courses. The figure of £6,000 has been talked about. Does the Minister agree that a £6,000 tuition fee, far from encouraging people to study engineering, would put them off? If so, how does he reconcile that with the statement made by the Prime Minister yesterday? He said that
we simply have to change the system of finance. Virtually every major country around the world has had to do the same, and I think that it is right that the Government make the difficult … choice to reform student finance.—[Official Report, 7 June 2000; Vol. 351, c. 282.]
§ Mr. WicksWe have made important and sometimes difficult decisions, not least about student finance. Unlike the previous Government, who compromised quality and quantity by reducing unit costs, we are maintaining standards. We are funding the university sector. There will be no top-up fees, which we have legislated against. Such fees do not represent the right approach. The approach that we have outlined is the right way ahead.