§ 28. Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children sat the Certificate of Secondary Education in 1969.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Miss Alice Bacon)237,000, an increase of 100,000 over the 1966 figure, i.e. an increase of over 70 per cent. in three years.
§ Mr. NewensDo not these figures show the great benefits of the secondary education policies which have been pursued by the Government, and will not the reorganisation along comprehensive lines which is being carried further by the Bill upstairs result in improvements in the figures?
§ Miss BaconYes, the figures show that more children are staying longer at school, and this is largely due to the advance of comprehensive schools.
§ Mr. J. E. B. HillWill the right hon. Lady say what proportion of the 237,000 was at the grade equivalent to "O" level, and whether this figure indicates that the C.S.E. may properly take over from the "O" level in the foreseeable future?
§ Miss BaconNo, I cannot give the precise figure for which the hon. Gentleman has asked. The candidates for G.C.E. "O" level have also increased from 589,000 in 1966 to 635,000 in 1969, and this shows that one is not taking over from the other.