§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government plan to expand the number of students in higher and further education during the next 20 years.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government have provided for a significant increase in demand for further education in recent years and will continue to encourage young people to improve their education and training. In higher education the Government's expenditure plans should enable demand from young qualified applicants — and the Government intend that high standards should be maintained—to continue to be met. But the relevant age group will become smaller over the next decade so that the total number of students is likely to fall absolutely even if the proportion of the age group entering further and higher education continues to rise.