Management ignore Parliamentary Committee Recommendation

The Science and Technology Select Committee said "It recommends that it should be mandatory for universities to alert Hefce to proposed departmental closures in Stem subjects not less than 18 months before the changes in provision are due to come into effect."

In April 2006 the University saw Physics at Reading as central to its plans. This followed a year-long in depth review by the senior management. Even in September it said "it would be preferable that physics be part of the portfolio of disciplines at Reading". On 28 September it abruptly abandoned that view without consultation with the members of the Depaartment - let alone the Head of Department, riding roughshod over the Select Committee recommendations.