§ 3. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what increase there has been in the student intake in colleges of drama and music in England and Wales compared with universities, since 1962 to the latest convenient date; and what estimate he has made of the size of the future student intake.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mrs. Shirley Williams)Figures are available only of the total number of students attending colleges of drama and music in England and Wales maintained by local education authorities or recognised as efficient. At these colleges, which do not include several major independent institutions, the total number of students increased between 1962–63 and 1967–68 by 21.8 per cent. In universities in England and Wales (excluding the former colleges of advanced technology) the increase in student numbers in all subjects during this period was 43.5 per cent. The increase in numbers of students of music and 1533 drama between 1965–66 and 1967–68—figures for earlier years not being available—is 20.5 per cent.
§ Mr. EadieThe figures my hon. Friend has given will be studied with great interest by the House. Is she aware that there is a widening interest throughout the whole United Kingdom in such things as drama and music? Does she agree that some of the youngsters passing out of our schools and universities are probably as good as any previous generations?
§ Mrs. WilliamsThere has been a marked increase in interest in both drama and music in the schools. Our main concern is to make sure that people who study these subjects can find employment afterwards.