§ Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Education what was the number of boys and girls, respectively, who obtained school-leaving certificates with two or more A-level passes from local education authority schools, from local education authority establishments of further education and elsewhere, respectively, in each year from 1954 to the latest convenient date; and what percentage each group formed of their age group.
§ Sir D. EcclesI refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 4th December to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey). In addition, I draw his attention to the Introductory Note to Table 48 on page 205 in "Education in 1960". The significant bias in the sample was higher in the earlier than in the later years which would make it wrong to draw conclusions by comparing one year with another. Statistical exercises are now proceeding to make the necessary corrections and provide the best possible estimates of the numbers of qualified leavers for past years.
185WWe have taken measures this year to obtain more reliable results from the sample enquiry which has also been extended to cover independent schools recognised as efficient and further education establishments. Results should be available in April or May.