HC Deb 29 November 1962 vol 668 cc646-7
23. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education if, in the light of Her Majesty's Government's policy on university expansion, he will give guidance to secondary schools on the standard of results required in the General Certificate of Education examinations to gain entrance to university.

Sir E. Boyle

No, Sir.

Mr. Swingler

Is not the Minister aware that heads of schools are frequently asked to give guidance to pupils and parents about the possibility of training university entrants and that it is supposed to be the policy of his Ministry to persuade more people to stay on in the sixth form? In the light of the recent report of the University Teachers' Association showing the frustration this year of art least 5,000 boys and girls who got the minimum qualifications in G.C.E. but could not gain entrance to the universities, surely it should be his responsibility to give some guidance to the schools?

Sir E. Boyle

It is outside the sphere of responsibility of my Department to give specific guidance on admission requirements. The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals are making an attempt to codify their course admission requirements in terms of passes in the G.C.E. at Advanced level. I know that the report of the sub-committee of the Vice-Chancellors Committee on university entrance requirements is being closely studied by the schools and by others concerned. I have published the comments of the Secondary School Examinations Council on these matters and indicated my agreement with its views.

Mr. Wiley

In view of the crisis which will affect the sixth forms over the next few years, will the right hon. Gentleman, even if he is not prepared to do so himself, appoint a committee to deal with the problem? Otherwise there will be additional frustration and a waste of talent of people who have qualified through higher education but who are unable to get university places?

Sir E. Boyle

I appreciate the difficulty, but I must state this afternoon that it is outside my sphere of responsibility to give specific guidance on admission to universities.

Mr. Willey

Will the right hon. Gentleman deal with the question of sixth forms, because in the next two or three years there will be a three-year and not a two-year sixth form?

Sir E. Boyle

That raises a slightly wider question, but I have all these matters very much in mind.