Oral Answers to Questions

David Evennett Excerpts

Thursday 13th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

In my constituency, when I was in opposition and the last Government were in power, a post office was temporarily closed and I worked with Post Office Ltd to get it reopened. We succeeded; the hon. Gentleman should do that.

[Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

13. What progress he has made on preparations for the higher education White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts)]

We are consulting students, universities and other experts and will publish a White Paper in the early part of this year. It will set out how we will sustain our world-class universities, encourage them to deliver high-quality teaching and improve social mobility.

[Mr Evennett]

I thank my right hon. Friend. As he knows, a significant number of higher education courses are now being provided at further education colleges. Can he advise me whether the White Paper will build upon that?

[Mr Willetts]

My hon. Friend was, of course, a lecturer in a further education college, and it is only right that he should remind us of the contribution that FE colleges can make. He is absolutely right, and we do hope to encourage higher education in further education institutions as part of our White Paper.