§ 9. Adam Price (East Carmarthen and Dinefwr)What plans she has to implement the National Assembly for Wales's proposals for the restructuring of higher education in Wales. [31408]
§ The Minister for Lifelong Learning (Margaret Hodge)Policy on higher education in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales. I understand that the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning in the Assembly will shortly make a response to the recent policy review of higher education, in the form of a 10-year strategy for higher education in Wales.
§ Adam PriceI thank the Minister for her reply, but I am puzzled by it—and also by the quotation in The Western Mail from the departmental spokesman, who said:
There is no possibility at all of any legislationto implement the proposals of the National Assembly's higher education review. That is the most important review of higher education in Wales since the establishment of the university of Wales, and we are constantly told that the knowledge base is vital to the economic future of areas such as Wales, yet the Department also tells us that there is no legislative time for the National Assembly's proposals. Does the Minister not agree that decisions on the future of higher education should be made in Wales, and will she give the Assembly the directive powers over the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales that it has asked for?
§ Margaret HodgeThe Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning in Wales has not asked us to extend any powers, because she has not yet responded to the consultation paper that has been under consideration in Wales. If and when she does, and if and when she asks us for additional powers, we will consider the request. I must also point out that almost half of Welsh undergraduates study in English higher education institutions.