Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 11th September 2014 Commons Chamber

[George Freeman]

It is a bit rich for Opposition Members to talk about cuts when we have protected the science budget. We inherited one of the worst crises in the public finances, and we have a duty to correct it.

This country is internationally respected for the level of scientific advice that we put into policy making. Across the board—on badgers, on genetic modification, and on all the other difficult issues that we face—we are basing policy on the best scientific advice. [Interruption.] It ill behoves Opposition Members to criticise our approach. They set the standard in taking advice from spin doctors; we take advice from scientists.

[Mr Speaker]

I have a sense that the hon. Member for Brent North (Barry Gardiner) feels an Adjournment debate application coming on.

[Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Ah, universities and the running thereof, Mr David Willetts.

[Mr David Willetts (Havant) (Con)]

I was hoping to ask the Minister about Glasgow and to confirm that in a nationwide competition, Glasgow city won the funding to get £25 million of investment in smart city technologies. Do we not think that the best way for Glasgow to remain a smart city is for it to remain part of the United Kingdom?

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, Mr David Nuttall.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. When university tuition fees were increased, some feared that it would result in a fall in the numbers applying to enter higher education, particularly those from poorer backgrounds. Will the Minister tell the House whether those fears have proved justified?

[Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

Points of order come after business questions rather than during questions.

[Sir Bob Russell]

The Secretary of State will not be here very long and I would like him to hear my point of order.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell) may be able to persuade the Secretary of State to return for his important point of order. I am afraid that procedure must take precedence over convenience.