Mary Macleod
Main Page: Mary Macleod (Conservative - Brentford and Isleworth)(14 years, 2 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Vince Cable
I think that the hon. Gentleman will have to apply his considerable powers of persuasion to his Front-Bench team, because they have not yet caught up with his ideological journey.
Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)
Will my right hon. Friend consider a reduced graduate contribution for those subjects where we have a real need and where there is a skills gap such as maths, science and engineering?
Vince Cable
I thank the hon. Lady for her question but, again, I have answered that in different ways. We accept that one of the fundamental problems at the moment is the imbalance in the graduate population. There is a severe shortage of engineers in particular, but in STEM subjects in general. Unfortunately, there is a growing pool of graduate unemployment in other areas, so we must support the STEM subjects, and we will continue to do so through the teaching grant.