HC Deb 30 June 1938 vol 337 cc2111-2
40. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the total number of students, male and female, entering English universities in the latest year for which figures are available; the number of such students who originated in elementary schools; the total numbers entering Oxford and Cambridge Universities; and how many of these originated in elementary schools?

Mr. Lindsay

According to the annual returns made to the University Grants Committee, the total number of new full-time entrants (male and female) to the universities in England and Wales (excluding Oxford and Cambridge) for the academic year 1936–37 was 7,398, and of this number 3,197, or about 43 per cent., began their education in a public elementary school. The former figure, however, includes students from overseas who, in 1936–37, formed over 10 per cent. of the whole body of full-time students in England and Wales; if these are omitted the percentage would be 48. For the University of Oxford, the total number of new full-time entrants was 1,555 and for the University of Cambridge 1,932. No exact figures are available as to the number of these students who began their education in a public elementary school; an approximate calculation however gives about 350 for Oxford and 400 for Cambridge. If deduction is made of the students from overseas the percentages of students of public elementary school origin are—Oxford 25 per cent. and Cambridge 23 per cent.

Mr. Jenkins

Could the hon. Gentleman state the number of the children in elementary schools and the number in public schools and the percentages of those who enter the universities of this country?

Mr. Lindsay

It would be extremely difficult to get that figure—I have made a shot at it—and having got it I do not think it would do very much good because there are a great many other considerations to be taken into account which I should be very glad to explain to my hon. Friend.

Mr. H. G. Williams

Can the hon. Gentleman say why it is that there has been such a heavy fall in the last ten years in the proportion of women to men in the universities?

Mr. Lindsay

No, Sir.