§ 21. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet the Secretary of State for Education to discuss entry requirements for institutions of higher education.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend and I liaise closely with our colleagues in the other education Departments. Requirements for entry to higher education, however, are a matter for the institutions themselves to determine.
§ Mr. FabricantDoes my hon. Friend agree that the England and Wales Department for Education has a lot to learn from Scotland? Does he believe, as I do, that there are too many scientists who are inarticulate and too many managers and, perhaps, Members of Parliament too, who are innumerate? Should not we have a broader base of education in England and Wales for entry to university, as in Scotland?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonWe have a great deal to learn from each other. Access to higher education is being enormously increased, which is to the benefit of students throughout the United Kingdom. We intend to play our full part in that.