§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the 112,000 enrolled students in England and Wales in non-university institutions on full-time or sandwich courses for first degrees are in the polytechnic sector; what this percentage would be if the students on teacher training courses were excluded; and whether the trend of the percentages is consistent with her policy of concentrating these degrees courses outside universities in economically efficient units.
§ Mr. OakesProvisional figures for November 1978 show that about 69 per cent. of all full-time and sandwich first degree enrolments in non-university institutions in England and Wales were in polytechnics; if enrolments on teacher training courses are excluded the figure is 81 per cent. The comparable percentages for November 1977 were 67 per cent. and 83 per cent. respectively. It is difficult to assess trends precisely in a period during which the reorganisation of teacher training and the diversification of many colleges previously only involved in teacher education continues, but the general policy is to concentrate provision of advanced courses in the most economical and effective way.