§ 47. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Minister of Education if he will initiate a study into the reasons why, of those boys and girls reaching sixth forms, a much smaller proportion of girls proceed to universities.
§ Sir E. BoyleI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have given today to the hon. Member for Dunferm-line (Dr. A. Thompson).
§ Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to ensure that a higher proportion of girls than at present are able to take advantage of the proposed expansion in higher education.
§ Sir E. BoyleThe schools cater for girls and boys on equal terms, and girls have no less opportunity than boys to obtain the qualifications needed for entry to all forms of higher education. The selection of students for admission is, of course, a matter for the institutions themselves. I hope that the expansion of higher education which the Government has authorised will in itself encourage54W more girls to continue their education at school with a view to equipping themselves for higher education. I am considering whether any further study is needed in this field.