§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give an estimate of the likely fall in proportion of 18-year-olds who go to university in the current academic year and in 1981–82.
§ Dr. BoysonIn the current academic year it is estimated that new young home entrants to universities in Great Britain constituted 7½ per cent. of the 18-year age group. This percentage is expected to fall slightly in 1981–82 but it is not yet possible to estimate by how much.
§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what he estimates will be the effect on student numbers over the next three years of the reduction in grant to universities and the changes he has made in arrangements for overseas students.
§ Dr. BoysonThe number of home students in universities in Great Britain in 1981–82 is expected to be about the same as in 1980–81. Nothing definite can be said at this stage about overseas student numbers in 1981–82 but they are likely to be lower than in 1980–81. The Government's expenditure plans provide for a reduction in expenditure on home students in higher education by 1983–84 of rather more than 8 per cent. below the level indicated in Cmnd. 7841. This is likely to lead to some reduction in the number of students admitted to higher education, but as the grant to universities for years beyond 1981–82 has not yet been finalised it is too early to predict its effect on student numbers.