§ 18. Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects proposals to assure better coordination in the acceptance of suitably qualified students to be made by the universities.
§ Mr. SimonThe universities are at present considering improvements in the procedure for the admission of students and are having informal discussions on the subject. I understand that the results will probably be made public late in the summer.
§ Mr. MacPhersonIn view of the numbers of students who are now qualified 558 for entry but who have been unable to obtain places, can the hon. and learned Gentleman give some indication of whether it will be possible to put into practice the results before the beginning of next Session. Will the report come in time for that?
§ Mr. SimonThe hon. Gentleman knows that that is really a matter for the universities themselves and not for my right hon. Friend. I do not know whether the report will contain matters which can be implemented in time for the next academic year, but the universities, as I happen to know, already have the matter under review individually.
§ Mr. EdeCan the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether any attention is being given to the need for a vastly increased number of admission places by 1963, when the bulge in the birthrate will reach the universities?
§ Mr. SimonYes. The right hon. Gentleman will remember the statement made by my right hon. Friend about the increased building programme for the middle 'sixties.