§ 3. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many boys and girls in the 16 to 19 years age range are currently attending full-time courses in further education colleges in England and Wales.
§ The Under-Secretary of State For Education and Science (Mr. Neil Macfarlane)There were 96,624 boys and 134,915 girls aged 16, 17 or 18 as at 31 December 1979 enrolled on full-time and sandwich courses at major establishments of further education in England and Wales in November 1979. Figures for 1980 are not yet available.
§ Mr. HooleyIn the light of the massive level of unemployment in this age group, which derives directly from the Government's policies, is it not urgent that more funds should be supplied by the Government for this sector of the education system? Is the Minister aware that in Sheffield hundreds of boys and girls are not able to secure places in further education because of the financial stringencies imposed on the city by the Government?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneIt is difficult for the hon. Gentleman to be too definitive about this matter, bearing in mind the many schemes which the Manpower Services Commission and the youth opportunities programme harness in many regions of the United Kingdom. The participation rate in Sheffield in non-advanced further education was 8 per cent. in 1978–79, which is lower than the national rate of about 10 per cent. Nationally speaking, many people in education and training feel some concern that the national rate in this country is somewhat lower than it is in other Western European countries.
§ Mr. WhiteheadCan the Minister say when the report that he is due to publish will come out? Will there be an appendix detailing the objections to it from those of his junior ministerial colleagues who appear to have a different view? Whatever the merits of traditional sixth forms as against tertiary education, does the hon. Gentleman agree that the real question with which he should be obsessed is not falling rolls, but rising take-up, and that for that purpose educational maintenance allowances would do far more than much of what his report is concerned with?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI echo the sentiments of my right hon. and learned Friend and congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his appointment to the Opposition Front Bench as a spokesman on education and science.
The hon. Gentleman has made several points. Educational maintenance allowances are very much a matter for local authorities. There is no Government legislation that forbids a local authority to implement EMA. I must make it clear that the review, which I have been chairing over the past 18 months, is a joint review by the Government and local education authorities. The report is due to be published on 26 January, and I shall ensure that hon. Members are able to obtain copies from the Vote Office. I urge the hon. Gentleman not to believe too much of what he has read in some of the national gossip papers. Perhaps he will apply his mind to that review, which acknowledges all the many client groups, and in no way makes any prescription at all, because it is very much for the local authorities to assess and appraise what they have in their areas and to plan accordingly.