HC Deb 09 July 1984 vol 63 cc372-3W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps the Government are taking to increase the opportunities for married women to return as mature students to polytechnics and similar colleges.

Mr. Brooke

The Government are concerned to increase such opportunities in a variety of ways. This has been reflected in the endorsement by my right hon. Friend of the National Advisory Body's plans for 1984–5, which embody a significant shift towardds part-time and other provision for mature students, and in the support given by my right hon. Friend for the Equal Opportunities Commission's women into science and engineering (WISE) initiative.