HC Deb 25 October 1962 vol 664 cc221-3W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applicants for admission to university places, possessing an adequate number of A level passes, have been rejected.

Mr. Barber

The academic qualifications for admission vary from one university to another and according to the course selected so that it is not possible

and on local government housing and social services, respectively.

Mr. Barber

The Army Estimates for 1962–63, at £524 million, are 6.7 per cent. above those for 1952–53, which totalled £491 million.

The table below shows the changes in the Budget Estimates (including Revised Estimates) for the other services referred to by my hon. Friend, including separate figures for the defence element of the Ministry of Aviation (formerly the Ministry of Supply).

Although the figures in the table provide a broad basis for purposes of comparison, no detailed adjustments have been made for the effect of the numerous changes in the composition of individual Estimates which have taken place during the period. The 1962–63 figure for the Ministry of Aviation (Defence) has however been adjusted, for purposes of closer comparison with 1952–53, to allow for a change in the classification of this expenditure which has been made in the intervening years.

Otherwise the 1962–63 figures are based on those given in Table II of the Memorandum by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on the 1962–63 Estimates.

to provide information in the form requested. The universities have recently set up a central office for university admissions which will, in due course, provide statistics of the number of candidates in relation to the number of places available.

Mr. Willey

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimate of the University Grants Committee of the number of student places available in universities by 1967.

Mr. Barber

150,000. This is, of course, subject to progress on the building programme for which an additional £5 million worth of starts has been agreed for 1963 and to the settlement of the rate of building starts thereafter; and also to satisfactory recruitment and retention of staff. The Government has undertaken that the recurrent grant fixed for the period 1962–63–1966–67 will be reviewed in two years' time in the light of expansion then achieved and all other relevant factors.