HC Deb 07 April 1971 vol 815 cc214-5W
Mr. Hayhoe

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) from information available from international sources, what is the average number of students per 100,000 of the population pursuing courses in tertiary education in the countries of the European Economic Community; and what is the comparable figure for England and Wales;

(2) how many students are at present pursuing courses in higher education in England and Wales, and in each of the Benelux countries from information available to her from international sources;

(3) how many students are at present pursuing courses in higher education in England and Wales and, from information available to her from international sources, in each of the countries of the European Economic Community.

Mr. van Straubenzee

In 1970–71 it is estimated there are 391,000 full-time and sandwich students and 142,000 part-time students pursuing courses in higher education in England and Wales. The average number of students per 100,000 of the population represented by these figures is 798 for full-time and sandwich students only and 1,088 when the part-time students are added in.

The latest information available from international sources relates to 1966–67 and is as follows:

ENROLMENTS IN FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME HIGHER EDUCATION, 1966–67
Number of students enrolled Number of students per 100,000 inhabitants
Belgium 91,059 956
Netherlands 134,661 1,081
Luxembourg* 402 120
Total Benelux countries 226,122 1,031
France 536,618 1,086
West Germany 386,957 673
Italy 476,825 919
Total European Economic Community 1,626,522 898
England and Wales 415,933 865
* In 1966–67, 1,156 students from Luxembourg were enrolled in higher education in countries outside Luxembourg.

The education systems of the various countries have salient differences which can affect the comparability of these figures. Care must be exercised in any use made of them.