Clarke apologises over TV interview

Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education, apologised yesterday for revealing details of long-awaited university funding reform plans in a television interview.

In a statement to MPs, the Speaker, Michael Martin, made a fresh plea to ministers to announce policy changes to the Commons first rather than trailing them in the media. He revealed that he had initiated inquiries into apparent leaks this month of the Government's higher education proposals and of plans to send more than 30,000 troops to the Gulf.

Mr Martin said he had received an apology from Mr Clarke, but was satisfied that Geoff Hoon, the Secretary of State for Defence, had not revealed information in advance.

"I have made it clear ... that it is of fundamental importance for the proper functioning of Parliament that this House is the first to hear of important developments," the Speaker said.