§ 1. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of 18-year-olds entered university in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982; and how this compares with the expected figures for 1983 and 1984.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. William Waldegrave)Young home entrants to university were 7.5 per cent. of the 18-year-old age group from 1978 to 1980, 7.2 per cent. in 1981 and 6.9 per cent. in 1982. The University Grants Committee's planning targets imply a figure of about 6.6 per cent. by 1984. The comparable participation rate in higher education as a whole has risen from 12.4 per cent. in 1978 to 13.5 per cent. in 1982.
§ Mr. BennettDoes the Minister agree that the cuts in opportunities for young people to go to universities are outstanding acts of vandalism by the Government? As the Government now claim that economic recovery is under way, why do they not expand the opportunities in universities to take advantage of those extra resources this autumn and next year?
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe limitation on the numbers in universities as opposed to other institutions of higher education was sought by the UGC to protect the research base. The Government can stand proudly on their record of providing increased opportunities overall in higher education.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsIs the Minister aware that, compared with most industrial countries, we are cutting back on higher education? Can he justify the savage attacks on the technological universities, which one would think should be at the centre of our industrial recovery?
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe right hon. Lady will be interested to know that of the large numbers of overseas Ministers who visit the Department from time to time, almost all are grappling with the problem of having to restrain expenditure on education. As for savage attacks on technological universities, the right hon. Lady should note that at the top of the UGC's list were two former colleges of advanced technology, allowing for the absurd distinction between technological and other universities.
§ Mr. LathamHas my hon. Friend noticed that there has been a warm welcome in many university sectors for the latest decision on fees for overseas students?
§ Mr. WaldegraveI am grateful to my hon. Friend. Many in the university sector have welcomed this decision.
§ Mr. WhiteheadAs the Minister has encouraged the public sector to raise numbers over the next two years, why does he not take a similarly hard line with the UGC over the figures for 1984–85? Does he realise that most of us see this as the division of higher education into two sectors across the binary line — an elite sector in universities and an under-provided and under-privileged but larger sector in the public sector.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt must be for the public sector institutions to judge how many students they can take without damaging standards. The hon. Gentleman knows that the greater part of our effort on research is concentrated on the university side. That is why the UGC took the line that it did.