HC Deb 29 February 1988 vol 128 cc402-3W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to carry out an urgent inquiry into allegations of bias in the selection of medical students at St. George's medical school; and if he will set up a general inquiry into discrimination against women and students from the ethnic minorities in selection for places in higher education.

Mr. Jackson

The Commission for Racial Equality has carried out an inquiry into the allegations regarding St. George's hospital medical school, and published a report on 25 February. The school accepts that the allegations of bias are proven and has revised its admissions procedures.

Admissions procedures are a matter for higher education institutions, within the law. My right hon. Friend considers that all institutions of higher education should monitor their applications processes to ensure that they are not acting in breach of their duties under Section 17 of the Race Relations Act 1976 by allowing either direct or indirect discrimination to take place. Discussions have already taken place with the relevent national admissions registries regarding possible monitoring of applicants to teacher training. The Department proposes to open discussions with the polytechnic central admissions system and with the Universities Central Council on Admissions on the possible introduction of such monitoring for their applicants.

My right hon. Friend intends also very shortly to issue a consultative document regarding the monitoring of enrolments by ethnic origin in those institutions covered by the further education statistical record, including the polytechnics and colleges sector of higher education. He hopes that the universities will introduce a parallel system.

My right hon. Friend has no evidence in general of discrimination against women, who constitute almost 50 per cent. of enrolments in higher education, a proportion which has increased in recent years.

My right hon. Friend is committed to the development of a higher education system open to all those who are able to benefit from it, irrespective of gender or ethnic origin. He is confident that higher education institutions in general fully share that commitment.