§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to provide that universities should standardise their systems of student records so that up-to-date statistical information may be rapidly compiled by central or regional computer services.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsI understand that standard definitions are already used in the returns which the universities make to the University Grants Committee. A central computerised student record system is being compiled by the Universities Central Council on Admissions on behalf of the U.G.C., the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and the universities, and for this purpose further standardisation of data has recently been introduced.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to arrange for a year-by-year statistical 150W study of the success rate of university students ready for a first degree, by using sampling techniques of accepted scientific worth.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsA full analysis of student progress was published in August last year and it will be possible to make similar analyses every year when the central records system, which began with the undergraduate entry in 1968–69, has in due course been built up. Meantime I am passing my hon. Friend's suggestion to the University Grants Committee for consideration.