Nevertheless, Mr Willis said: “If it is simply about cutting costs, without looking at the overall offer the university is making, that is a very different agenda that we will want to examine.
“The decision does seem to be a knee-jerk reaction. Liverpool has come out well in terms of its overall research budget and seems to be taking the opportunity to draw in its horns.”
The 14-strong committee – whose membership includes Liverpool-born Conservative MP Nadine Dorries – will take evidence at Liverpool Hope University next Monday , from 2pm.
The session, which is open to the public, will close by hearing from a panel of students from both the affected universities, Liverpool and John Moores.
Mr Willis added: “It is a great opportunity for them to lobby us about the closures.”