§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD TAYLORMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many suitably qualified applicants there were for university places last October, how many were found places in universities, and how many in other institutions of higher education; and how many failed to gain a place.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH)My Lords, the total number of full-time students for first degree or comparable courses entering universities in Great Britain for the first time in October, 1963, was about 35,100. I regret that it is not possible to provide a figure for the total number of qualified applicants to all British universities. The only figures comparing university applicants and admissions in 1963 are those being produced in respect of the applicants to the Universities Central Council on Admissions. These figures exclude overseas applicants and also exclude students who applied only to Oxford, Cambridge or the London medical schools or (in the case of Scottish applicants only) to three of the Scottish universities.
The Report on the first year's operations of the Universities Central Council on Admissions, which is an independent body set up and financed by the universities themselves, is not due to be published until shortly after Easter. The 1220 Council have, however, provided me with the following provisional figures:
51,600 students applied to them for admission to universities, but of these about 11 per cent. disqualified themselves by failing to obtain the minimum academic qualifications. Of the remaining candidates, 26,500 obtained admission to universities other than Oxford and Cambridge; and a further unknown number of U.C.C.A. applicants obtained admission to Oxford and Cambridge.It is believed that, of the U.C.C.A. applicants who failed to obtain university places, including those who did not succeed in obtaining the minimum academic qualifications, over 60 per cent. are continuing in full-time education, including those returning to school.
§ LORD TAYLORMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for giving me a much fuller Answer than he had previously led me to expect. I am grateful to him, and through him to the U.C.C.A., for getting out these provisional figures. But they are a little alarming, and at first sight it would appear as though 15,000 students were qualified, but did not get places even among only those applying to U.C.C.A. Have I done my arithmetic correctly, or am I wrong?
THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGHIs the noble Lord referring to the first figure, 51,600, of which 11 per cent. disqualified themselves?
§ LORD TAYLORWhat I mean is that, of the 51,000 who applied, 11 per cent., or about 6,000, disqualified themselves by not having the qualification, leaving approximately 45,000; and then only 26,000 obtained places, so it looks as though 19,000 qualified candidates did not get places, if my arithmetic is correct. But I am open to be corrected.
THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGHMy Lords, I do not think the noble Lord's arithmetic is correct. Of course it is very difficult to get a comprehensive picture when Oxford and Cambridge are not included, and when a large number of applicants apply for places to different universities. It is extremely difficult, I am afraid, to get a comprehensive picture from these figures, but it may perhaps be a little clearer when the Report comes out soon after Easter.