§ Mr. T. Smithasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the total number of students admitted to universities in 1935–36, and the percentage to the pupils who left grant-aided schools during the year ended 31st July, 1935, and went to a university?
1430W
Mr. LindsayThe total number of students admitted to universities in England and Wales in 1935–36 for first degree and diploma courses, according to returns received by the University Grants Committee, is 11,362. The number of pupils who left grant-aided secondary schools in the year ended 31st July, 1935, and who proceeded direct to universities was 3,824, representing a percentage of 33.7 of this figure.
Owing to the form in which the returns are received, the percentage figure should be treated with considerable reserve. For example, the total number of new entrants to universities given above includes a substantial number of students from the Dominions and foreign countries whose number cannot be given separately. Further, pupils may proceed from grant-aided secondary schools to universities after an interval, and hence would not be included in the figure of 3,824.