HC Deb 09 April 1964 vol 692 cc1189-91
7. Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the student success rate for the latest available year at each of the Scottish universities, respectively, showing separately the results for students in arts and social studies, pure science, and applied science.

Sir E. Boyle

No, Sir. The student success rate at universities in Great Britain as a whole is published in paragraph 81 of the quinquennial report University Development 1957–1962—Cmnd. 2267. With regard to figures for individual universities and faculties, these figures are supplied by the universities to the University Grants Committee on the understanding that they will go no further than the Committee itself, and my right hon. Friend does not consider it would be right to ask the Committee to depart from this undertaking.

Mr. Lawson

Does not the Minister agree that without such information it is impossible to tell whether any particular university is doing its job or whether it is falling down on its responsibilities to the nation? Is there not something reprehensible in that the individual university figures are carefully hidden from hon. Members and the public? Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that we are given this type of information, without which we cannot decide whether or not a university is doing its job?

Sir E. Boyle

With great respect to the hon. Member, that form of supplementary question emphasises the difficulties here Universities are autonomous institutions. Figures of student successes for individual universities would be liable to misinterpretation and misleading comparison and would not be a suitable subject for controversial supplementary questions and answers in this House. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I must ask the House to recognise that we must bear in mind the special position of the universities in our system.

Mr. Crossman

Is not that an extraordinary doctrine? Does the right hon. Gentleman really tell us that these apparently vital statistics are available but are being denied the students who are trying to make up their minds where they should go? Should not such students be allowed to have these statistics? Why should these figures be held back by deliberate intent?

Sir E. Boyle

It would be easy for misinterpretation and misleading comparison to be made through the detailed production of these statistics.

Mr. Crossman

But there are many truths which can be misinterpreted. Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that one cannot suppress the truth merely because it may be misinterpreted?

Sir E. Boyle

We must bear in mind, as I have said, the fact that universities are autonomous institutions. My right hon. Friend does not believe—though he will take into account what has been said in the House—that it would be right to ask the Committee to change its policy on this matter.