THE prime minister stepped into the row over the planned closures of Coleg Gwent departments yesterday.

Tony Blair was responding to a point raised by Blaenau Gwent MP Llew Smith during Prime Minister's Questions.

Coleg Gwent plans to cut 45 staff, and close the engineering departments at Ebbw Vale and Pontypool and the catering department in Ebbw Vale. Gwent Assembly Members criticised the college management and funding body ELWa during a debate on Tuesday.

Mr Smith increased the pressure when he raised the closures in Parliament.

Mr Blair said that the concerns of all Gwent MPs would be considered "closely" when Welsh Secretary Peter Hain discusses the closures. Mr Hain has backed the call for an inquiry into the closure, which he has publicly described as "astonishing".

Mr Smith told Mr Blair that the closure of the engineering department was a blow to efforts to attract skilled engineering jobs and also to the tourist industry to "one of the most beautiful parts of Wales".

He called on the prime minister to instruct Mr Hain as secretary of state to meet First Minister Rhodri Morgan to discuss the matter. Mr Blair told him: "I recognise your concern."

Mr Smith told the Argus that he welcomed Mr Blair's comments and he hoped that Coleg Gwent's management would "see sense" and reverse the closure decision.

The Welsh education minister, Jane Davidson, appeared to defend the actions of Coleg Gwent's management.

Ms Davidson said: "Colleges have a responsibility to prevent well-intentioned ambition outstripping funds. Where courses are under-subscribed, it is entirely appropriate that colleges take action to refocus priorities."

Ms Davidson also rejected claims that the cuts were the result of underfunding.

She said: "The Assembly does not have unlimited resources. However, evidence that we are funding education and training adequately in Wales is there."