§ 43. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of the number of students likely to qualify for full-time higher education courses, in 1975, 1980 and 1985, respectively, and of the number of these likely to qualify for entry into university; and if he will include in his forthcoming White Paper a description in each case of the steps he is now taking to determine the pattern of higher education in the 1980s.
§ Mr. FowlerEntry standards vary both between institutions of higher education and between departments within them. Latest estimates for 1975–76, 1980–81 and 139W 1985–86 of numbers leaving schools or further education institutions with 1 or more passes at G.C.E. "A" level are, respectively, 184,000, 265,000 and 305,000. Universities are likely to select most of their entrants from among those with 2 or more "A" level passes, for whom the corresponding figures are 138,000, 195,000 and 224,000. My right hon. Friend hopes to indicate this year the lines of development which he proposes for higher education.