18. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many young people in Scotland, and in England and Wales, respectively, were unable to obtain admission to university this session although possessing the minimum qualifications for entry.
§ Mr. CroslandI regret that this information is not available.
Mr. TaylorWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the figures here are very substantial and represent an appalling loss of potential science teachers and doctors which the nation cannot afford, and does he not feel that a responsible Minister should resign rather than accept these cuts?
§ Mr. CroslandI agree that the nation cannot afford any avoidable waste of any talent at any point and this is why this Government—and, to be fair, their predecessors—are doing everything to achieve their programme of expansion. The reason why figures are not available is partly because what information there is does not distinguish between applicants resident in Scotland and those resident in England and Wales; and partly because of the difficulty of distinguishing between applicants possessing minimum qualifications for entry to the course of their choice, and applicants not so qualified.