§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of 16-year-old pupils remained at school after the minimum leaving date in the nearest available full year in England and Wales; and how this compares with the previous five years.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonIn January of each year, the proportions of pupils aged 16 years remaining at schools,708W excluding special schools, beyond the ages of compulsory schooling were:
per cent. 1977 28.7 1976 28.3 1975 27.0 1974 26.8 1973 37.2 1972 37.5 The minimum school leaving age was raised to 16 years on 1st September 1972. The first effects of this change are shown in the figures for 1974.