HL Deb 10 January 2005 vol 668 cc9-10WA
Lord Hanningfield

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many science and engineering departments in universities in the United Kingdom have closed since 1997; in each case, when and where the closure took place and what was the reason for the closure, as stated by the relevant university. [HL338]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Lord Filkin)

The information requested is not available. Universities are autonomous institutions, free to move the boundaries of their departments without consulting government. The Department of Trade & Industry analysis forthe Science and Innovation Investment Framework estimated that approximately 15 physics and 11 chemistry departments closed in the past 10 years. The framework also sets out the Government's vision for science and engineering teaching and learning at every stage, including detailed proposals to stimulate demand from students and supply of excellent teaching.