§ 25. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what increase there has been in the number of further education students in the county of Midlothian at present; and if he will give the total numbers for the years 1963 to 1968, respectively, giving figures for male and female students.
§ Mr. MillanProvisional returns for October 1968 show enrolments of 3,123 in vocational further education courses in Midlothian compared with 2,677 in October 1967. In answer to the second part of the Question, I shall, with permission, circulate a table of figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT covering the total number of students enrolled in each session.
§ Mr. EadieWould not my hon. Friend agree that the post-primary education policy pursued by the Midlothian Education Authority is a contributory factor in these increases in the numbers of students taking further education?
§ Mr. MillanYes, Sir. The figures also demonstrate the influence which the new Esk Valley College is already having on further education in Midlothian.
§ The following are the numbers of students enrolled:
| Session | Males | Females | Total | |
| 1962–63 | … | 1,194 | 748 | 1,942 |
| 1963–64 | … | 1,410 | 915 | 2,325 |
| 1964–65 | … | 1,707 | 934 | 2,641 |
| 1965–66 | … | 1,700 | 956 | 2,656 |
| 1966–67 | … | 1,705 | 1,278 | 2,983 |
| 1967–68 | … | 1,721 | 1,158 | 2,879 |