§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards a system of financial incentives for women to return to higher education after marriage, children or financial difficulties.
§ Mr. BrookeWomen wishing to follow degree or other designated courses of higher education can obtain mandatory awards, subject to the normal criteria of eligibility, which should enable them to pursue their courses without financial hardship.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take action to encourage married women and those who did not receive a higher education on leaving school to become mature students.
§ Mr. BrookeAction to encourage the participation of mature women in higher education must rest substantially with local education authorities and individual institutions. I welcome the efforts which some of them are making in this regard—for example, by the provision of access courses designed to prepare adults, including married women, for entry to higher education and making special arrangements for the admission of older students to courses of higher education.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure equal opportunities; and if he will encourage positive discrimination for women to enter higher education and universities.
§ Mr. BrookeThe percentage of women among young home initial entrants to higher educatiion in Great Britain has risen from 34 per cent. in 1972 to 44 per cent. in 1982. The Government hope to see further improvement, but do not believe that positive discrimination is necessary to secure it or desirable in itself. My right hon. Friend's school curriculum policy is designed to encourage girls to enter those areas, such as science and engineering, where there is an imbalance in higher education.