Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ian Lavery and Lord Willetts

Thursday 2nd February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

Our proposals for launching the catapult centres are proceeding. We have already announced five technology and innovation centres across the country and will announce the remaining two soon.

[Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab)]

T2. The Secretary of State is aware of the imminent closure of the Rio Tinto Alcan plant in my constituency. Rio Tinto Alcan said recently that it puts the blame firmly on the Government because of the lack of investment. The £250 million for energy-intensive industries is too little, too late, and there are also the green taxes. Would he care to comment on those allegations?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ian Lavery and Lord Willetts

Thursday 3rd June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab)]

Does the Secretary of State acknowledge that cutting the higher education budget will place pressure on Lord Browne to conclude that student fees need to rise? Is it not the ultimate cop-out for the Secretary of State to cut the higher education budget and then abstain on student fees legislation?

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

Of course, Lord Browne’s report was commissioned by the previous Government, on a cross-party basis, so those on both sides of the House will agree that it is right to wait for his report. As I explained to the House earlier, compared with the plans announced in December 2009, we have increased our contribution to student teaching so that we can deliver our pledge of extra student places.