HC Deb 21 January 1992 vol 202 cc115-6W
Mr. Robert Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessments his Department makes of the comparative level of achievement of British universities relative to those in other countries.

Mr. Alan Howarth

Comparisons between education systems are notoriously difficult. However, statistical comparisons based on internationally accepted definitions show that the proportion of the relevant age group gaining higher education qualifications in the United Kingdom is among the highest in Europe. Her Majesty's inspectorate, as part of its foreign travel programme, compares and contrasts the quality of provision in higher education institutions at home and abroad.