§ 12. Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of applicants to higher education gained admission in the years 1979, 1982 and 1985.
§ Mr. WaldenInformation on the total numbers of applicants to higher education is not collected centrally. For universities only the proportions of those applying who were accepted for entry in 1979, 1982 and 1985 were 49.5 per cent., 45.3 per cent. and 46.9 per cent. respectively. Many of the unsuccessful university applicants will have gained admission to public sector higher education.
§ Mr. RossIs it not true that the numbers attending university have risen by less than I per cent. since 1979? 170 Does that not compare unfavourably with our competitors in the Western world and Japan? Is not the great necessity that industry should have more graduates? What are we doing about that?
§ Mr. WaldenThat was an interesting bundle of misconceptions. First, as I said earlier, British business is receiving more graduates. Secondly, Britain's record in producing graduates is not nearly as had as the hon. Gentleman implied or as bad as the newspapers unfortunately often imply. Thirdly, although it is true that the number of students in universities has been broadly static since 1979, that must be viewed within the context of the massive expansion in the public sector system. I am sorry to hear Opposition Members, who naturally want to have a go at the Government, implicitly criticising higher education in this country, which has done an extremely good job by accepting more students for the same money.
§ Mr. ForthDoes my hon. Friend agree that if there are any difficulties, real or imagined, with the present grant system, it is high time he reopened the debate on introducing loans as an alternative to grants? Loans would provide a real incentive and give real equality of opportunity to those seeking places in higher and further education.
§ Mr. WaldenI have nothing new to say on loans today.
§ Mr. D. E. ThomasWill the Minister reconsider his earlier statement that the University Grants Committee does not discriminate on a geographic basis? Does he not accept that as a result of the UGC's funding mechanism, and his approval of it, there will be a geographic imbalance in university and higher education places?
§ Mr. WaldenI can only reiterate what I said earlier, that such issues cannot be decided on geographic grounds. The quality judgment of research at the universities of Warwick and York belies those who say that there has been a concentration in the south-east.