Innovation, Universities and Skills written question – answered at on 3 December 2007.
To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills
(1) if he will make it his policy to require the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to collect information about and report to him on proposals by universities to withdraw services from specific campuses; and if he will instruct the HEFCE to do so in the case of the University of Bath and the Oakfield campus in Swindon;
(2) how much funding from the public purse was given to the University of Bath for the Oakfield Campus (a) prior to and (b) since its opening in 2000; how many higher education schemes initiated by his Department are run at the campus; and how many students were on these courses at the Oakfield Campus at the latest date for which figures are available;
(3) if he will assess the likely effect on the delivery of vocational courses funded by his Department at the University of Bath of that university's proposal to withdraw from the Oakfield campus in Swindon;
(4) what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the University of Bath's proposal to withdraw from the Oakfield campus in Swindon on his Department's policy of encouraging greater access to higher education;
(5) what discussions he has had with the Higher Education Funding Council for England on the interests of students whose courses are affected by the withdrawal of universities from satellite campuses.
holding answer
Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies funded through block grant and free to decide their own strategies including the organisation of teaching and learning, in the light of their relative strengths and student demand. That said, I expect them as a matter of good practice to consult local Members of Parliament on any major reorganisation which affects their constituents.
I understand that Bath university has decided to withdraw the offer provision of higher education from the Oakfield campus in the light of its assessment of student demand. That is a matter for the university, but I would expect all institutions contemplating changes of this sort to engage in early dialogue with HEFCE so that wherever possible, options for other alternative provision can be considered and they should also keep hon. Members informed of their future intentions. I am aware that a number of proposals about enhancing opportunities for higher education study in Swindon are currently under consideration.
Yes0 people think so
No6 people think not
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