HC Deb 22 March 1983 vol 39 cc715-6
15. Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the reduction in university places between 1980–81 and 1982–83.

Mr. Waldegrave

Home student entry to full-time undergraduate courses in universities fell by about 4,500 between 1980 and 1982. The entry to such courses in other institutions rose by over 18,000.

Mr. Cryer

Is it not disgraceful that people, the nation's most precious asset, are being denied the opportunity to develop talent and ability by the Government's policies, particularly as we have a Government who are supposed to enshrine freedom of choice? Is it not true that the freedom of choice that the Government support is the freedom of individuals to spend money while at the same time the public sector, which is the best way to give people educational opportunity, is being eroded by the Government?

Mr. Waldegrave

The hon. Gentleman is a little confused. What is normally called the public sector has increased by 18,000 places. Concern over what the hon. Gentleman mentioned in the first part of his question has meant that the Government have maintained the highest participation rate for the biggest age group in full-time higher education courses.

Mr. Forman

With regard to the reduction in engineering departments, can my hon. Friend and his Department do anything further to see that good engineering departments in various universities in the United Kingdom are maintained and encouraged, because we need the people who go to those departments?

Mr. Waldegrave

The output of trained engineers into the economy is steadily increasing and will continue steadily to increase. We very much hope that industry will give those people the employment that they need.

Mr. Christopher Price

What is the justification for the Government and the UGC to penalise financially an autonomous university that feels it can admit more students, and thereby work more efficiently, and those students are fully qualified for that course? Why penalise an institution for its action in trying to be more efficient in carrying out its task?

Mr. Waldegrave

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman wishes to attack the UGC for trying to make a strategic plan. The UGC is trying to maintain that plan. I emphasise that in no case have the token penalties been greater than the additional income brought to the university by the extra students.

Mr. Waller

Will my hon. Friend confirm that as a result of the change in the balance of university courses we now have greater strength in technological subjects, which is particularly important to this country's industrial and economic future?

Mr. Waldegrave

That is certainly the intention behind the changes that the UGC has been making.

Mr. Whitehead

As a direct result of the Government's policy in the last academic year there was a 3 per cent. fall in the number of students admitted when the number of applications rose by a similar amount. How long will the Minister be able to boast about the age participation rate for universities?

Mr. Waldegrave

The hon. Gentleman, with a characteristic one-sided view, is looking only at universities. Overall, the age participation rate has been maintained and improved.