HC Deb 07 February 1984 vol 53 cc752-3
8. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of those going into higher education in each of the next 16 years he envisages being male, and what percentage female.

Mr. Brooke

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to wait for the revised and updated projections of demand for higher education that my right hon. Friend plans to issue by about Easter.

Mr. Bennett

Is the Minister aware that we strongly welcome the Department's decision to revise its figures, but will he now publish the assumptions on which the new figures have been calculated and tell us how many extra students he expects to get as a result of the Secretary of State's proposals to raise standards in schools?

Mr. Brooke

Comments were made on our first projections even before the AUT came to see us. I was glad when the AUT made its contribution. The process of reviewing the projections involves examining the existing assumptions as well as the challenges that have been made by other bodies.

Mr. Colvin

Is my hon. Friend aware that too high a proportion of higher education is paid for by the Government? What measures does he think are necessary to encourage industry to fund higher education more, through bursaries and research contracts? If that were done, would not higher education be more related to the nation's economic needs?

Mr. Brooke

My right hon. Friend and I would welcome a greater element of private money in the higher education system. It is especially valuable in terms of enabling institutions to start their own initiatives.

Mr. Ashley

In view of the undeniable fact that women are just as good as men in every subject, including engineering, science and technology, does the Minister agree that there is a massive waste of talent in Britain today and a waste of women? In view of that, why does he not indulge in an energetic campaign to persuade girls in schools to take up the opportunities available to them, despite the stupid and widespread protests against education for some girls?

Mr. Brooke

My views are strongly in accord with those of the right hon. Gentleman. I am delighted to say that the increase in the number of girls studying science, engineering and technology is increasing at the same pace as their participation in higher education.

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