Rhodri Must Not Ignore Another Expert Commission

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th May 2005

Mike German has urged Rhodri Morgan not to ignore another expert commission as he prepares to consider the funding of further education in Wales. The Rees Commission will deliver its final report to the Labour Assembly Government in the coming weeks. The commission is expected to distill the 6 options outlined in its interim report to produce a clear recommendation.

Mr German said: "Your record in following the advice of expert commissions you have established is lamentable: you only have to look at the new Assembly Building and the development of devolution to find cases where you tore up what the experts said, then scribbled and sketched your own overnight solution.

"Will you, at least on this occasion, undertake not to dismiss it's work unless you have a serious and well-thought out alternative?"

Mr German also highlighted the dramatic shift at the polls which took place in University towns and cities last Thursday.

He added: "On Thursday, students across Wales, in Cardiff, Swansea, Lampeter, Abersytwyth, Wrexham and elsewhere showed that they support a system of no fees and no top-up fees by voting for the only party that could deliver such a policy: the Liberal Democrats."

Mr German urged the first minister to take on board the very strong feeling of students and lecturers before recommending anything to the Assembly.