HC Deb 26 October 1994 vol 248 cc611-2W
Mr. Congdon

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what conclusions he has drawn from the public consultation on policies for postgraduate research training announced in the White Paper, "Realising Our Potential: A Strategy For Science, Engineering and Technology"; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

The Office of Science and Technology has consulted widely on those policies. I am most grateful to all who responded to consultation.

We need research students who are equipped with the skills and knowledge that they need to fulfil their potential in whichever sector they eventually choose to take up employment.

There was widespread support for the White Paper's objectives of improving the quality of research training in the United Kingdom, and making it more relevant to the needs of both students and their future employers.

I am asking the Director General of the Research Councils, Sir John Cadogan, to write to the research councils with further guidance on how best to work with universities and employers to achieve those objectives. In particular, he will be inviting the councils to support new, one-year master's degrees by research on a pilot basis. We estimate that some 250 students will enrol on the first pilot courses. These new courses will offer a valuable addition to the range of options open to postgraduate research students.

The way forward must be to test how effective the courses will be as a direct route into employment or as a preparation for the PhD. I welcome the initiative of universities and employers who are keen to lead the way. There will be no requirement for all research students funded by the research councils to complete a master's year. I would expect the councils to continue to fund PhD students for normally no longer than three years.

I am placing in the Library: a copy of Sir John Cadogan's letter; a list of the respondents to the consultation; the responses from the CVCP and CBI, which I believe give a helpful general summary of the views expressed by higher education and industry; and a press statement which I am also making today. Copies of consultation responses not made in confidence are available on request from the OPSS.