CLOSURE OF UK UNIVERSITY SCIENCE DEPARTMENTS

Early day motion 718, tabled 9 February 2005 by Brian Iddon (Labour). Signed by 69 members.

That this House congratulates the Government on the publication of Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014; notes that the costs of maintaining university science departments far exceed inflation; further notes that the higher education funding councils have changed their funding formula to the detriment of the chemical and physical sciences; believes that the drop in grant aid from a 5 to 4-star department, rated by the research assessment exercise, is too steep; views with concern that, despite increased university funding, science departments continue to close; and recommends that the Government carry out a review of these closures and attempts to measure the impact of them on the United Kingdom's long-term economic performance.

Signatures by party: Labour 42, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 8, Plaid Cymru 3, DUP 2, UUP 2, Conservative 1.