§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students are studying on four-year degree courses in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland at(a) universities and (b) other institutions of higher education.
Mr. JacksonIn 1987 there were 20,800 full-time and sandwich students at universities in Great Britain, and 26,500 full-time, sandwich and part-time students at polytechnics and colleges in England, on the first year of four-year degree courses. Separate figures for university 279W students in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are not readily available. Figures for polytechnics and colleges in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.