§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the evidence that a high percentage of children are staying at school to the age of 16 years voluntarily, she will review her intention to make this compulsory.
§ Mrs. ThatcherNo. It is encouraging that the national percentage of children aged 15+ who stay on at school beyond the statutory leaving age rose from 32.6 per cent. to 53.2 per cent. during the 10 years to 1969, and continues to rise, but there are significant regional variations and many children still leave school before their full potential has been realised.