§ 25. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of entrants to the universities in 1957, 1958 and 1959; and the estimated figures for 1960, 1961 and 1962.
§ Sir E. BoyleThe numbers of autumn term new entrants to the universities and university colleges in Great Britain in 1957, 1958 and 1958 were 27,206, 27,757 and 27,533 respectively. The University Grants Committee estimates that new entrants in 1960, 1961 and 1962 will number 29,500, 31,000 and 32,000 respectively.
§ Mr. WainwrightI thank the hon. Gentleman for that information. Is he aware that West Germany spends twice, the United States two-and-a-half times and Russia more than four times the amount we spend on students in this country? Will the hon. Gentleman make certain that university places are available to our students so that we may be sure that our educational standards will be comparable with those in the countries I have mentioned?
§ Sir E. BoyleThe hon. Gentleman will, no doubt, recall that the Chancellor informed the House on 26th January that he has authorised the University Grants Committee to discuss with universities the possibility of providing an additional 35,000 to 40,000 places by the late 'sixties or early 'seventies over and above the figure of 135,000 places already agreed. We are not, therefore, neglecting university places.