HC Deb 31 July 1956 vol 557 cc102-3W
41. Mr. Albu

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to accelerate the increase in the number of university students reading science or technology.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I would remind the hon. Member of the Lord Privy Seal's statement in the House on 21st June when he said that we could look forward to an increase over the next five years in the number of students of science and technology of the order of 60 per cent. This increase will be assisted by the provision of new and enlarged laboratories, and other buildings. The Government's special programme in this field, under which about £1 million worth of new building has been started annually since 1954 will receive a great impetus in 1957 when £4.3 million worth of starts will be put in hand. All this is in addition to the Imperial College Scheme with its target of 3,000 students within the next seven years.