HC Deb 15 December 1966 vol 738 cc651-2
34. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many sixth form pupils sat A-level science subjects, including mathematics, and A level arts subjects, including economics, respectively, in July of each of the years 1960 to 1966; and whether his Department has made any estimates of future trends.

Mr. Redhead

This information is not available in the form requested. I shall, however, publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of figures which shows the number of subjects attempted at A-level, analysed by main groups of subjects.

Estimates of future trends have not been made but the whole subject is being studied by the Dainton Committee.

Mr. Hooley

Would not my hon. Friend agree that these figures have serious implications for this country's future scientific manpower? Would the Department be prepared to make a special study of this problem?

Mr. Redhead

This matter will be kept under constant review, but if, after studying the figures which I have promised, my hon. Friend would like to approach me again, I would be very happy to assist.

Following are the figures:

NUMBERS OF SUBJECT ATTEMPTS AT THE GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION, ADVANCED LEVEL SUMMER EXAMINATION, BY MAIN GROUPS OF SUBJECTS
Year of examination Arts Science (including Mathematics) Social Science and vocational subjects (including economics)
1960 75,952 116,122 24,841
1961 85,089 129,028 29,658
1962 95,022 137,534 37,154
1963 101,838 140,181 43,363
1964 116,469 150,722 50,457
1965 140,029 166,108 64,298

NOTES:

(1) At every examination most candidates attempt more than one subject and therefore appear more than once in the table above.

(2) Of all candidates approximately 20 to 25 per cent are students at further education establishments or enter under private arrangements or come from overseas; the remainder are boys and girls taking secondary school courses, most of them in the Sixth Form.