HC Deb 20 October 1981 vol 10 c116W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number and percentage of girls who do not study science after the age of 14 years at school.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher:

Information based on the age of pupils is not available. From a sample survey of school leavers from session 1975–76, it is estimated that 18,600, or 42 per cent. of girls ceased to study the main sciences, that is physics, chemistry and biology, after the second year of secondary education.