HC Deb 21 February 1975 vol 886 cc558-9W
Mr. Clemitson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of young people between the ages of 16 and 18 years in England and Wales is currently in full-time education; and what are the corresponding figures for each of the past five years.

England and Wales
(thousands)
1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74*
Numbers aged 16–18 in full-time education 552.4 571.3 597.7 613.6 708.1
Percentage of 16–18 age group … … 27.7 28.7 29.5 30.2 34.2
* Provisional.

Mr. Clemitson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of young people between the ages of 16 and 18 years in Bedfordshire is currently in full-time education; and what are the corresponding figures for each of the last five years.

Mr. Prentice

In 1973–74 there were some 6,250 16–18 year olds in full-time education in Bedfordshire, representing about 31.3 per cent. of the relevant population age group. The numbers at such ages in school in 1973–74 and earlier years were as follows: 1969–70, 3,159; 1970–71, 3,188; 1971–72, 3,545; 1972–73, 3,795 and 1973–74, 4,765. In further education and in teacher training many of the full-time students will be studying outside their normal areas of residence.