HC Deb 07 December 1967 vol 755 c1642
5. Mr. Wiley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students are attending day-release classes in the Northern Region.

Mr. Gordon Walker

45,219 in autumn 1966.

Mr. Willey

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, while the figure is improving, it is still well below the target set by the Advisory Council? As this region has an exceptionally low proportion of the school leaving age, will my right hon. Friend see that this matter is looked at again to see whether the figure can be improved?

Mr. Gordon Walker

I will certainly watch the figures. They are well up to the national average and I very much hope that as the industrial training boards come into operation these figures will improve both in this region and elsewhere.