division_name: Higher Education Bill
motion: <p class="" pid=".167.4/1" pwmotiontext="yes">I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.</p>
  
  <p class="" pid=".167.4/2" pwmotiontext="yes">A year ago, the Government published the White Paper on the future of higher education. It set out a wide range of proposals and, today, we reach the point of decision on those proposals. Our decision today in the House&#8212;the vote of every single Member of Parliament of every party&#8212;will determine the future of our universities and so determine the future ability of this country to prosper in the increasingly competitive global economy. In that world economy, the existence of the high-level intellectual and skilled talents of all our people will be decisive. Our success in that economy will determine the economic strength of this country. That was the reason for the White Paper; that is the reason for the Bill; and, despite all the entertainment of all the different forms of political speculation, we should all acknowledge today that the outcome of the debate will be real and substantial for this country's universities and for the future welfare of this country.</p>
  
  <p pid=".270.4/1" pwmotiontext="yes"><i>Question put</i>, That the Bill be now read a Second time:&#8212;</p>
  
  <p pid=".270.4/2" pwmotiontext="yes"><i>The House divided:</i> Ayes 316, Noes 311.</p>