§ 5. Mr. Swinglerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number and ratio per 1,000 of population of university places in Great Britain in institutions to which the University Grants Committee makes grants; and how these figures compare with those for other leading member States of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Mr. AmoryThe total student population in institutions to which the University Grants Committee makes grants is 94,600. This is a ratio of nearly two university students per 1,000 of the total population of Great Britain. Figures published by U.N.E.S.C.O. showing numbers in other member countries relate to differing types and categories of students and no valid comparison can be made.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the Chancellor aware that comparisons are frequently made in the educational Press and to the detriment of this country? Is he further aware that the figures available through U.N.E.S.C.O. tend to show that the opportunities for a university education are a great deal less here than in other leading member States of the Organisation and that therefore they show the need to resist any economy in university education?
Mr. AmoryI realise that this is a most important matter. As the hon. Gentleman knows, plans and projects are in hand for an expansion which will lead 954 to an increase in facilities for students at universities and at institutions of university standard.