§ Q45. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister when she expects the age participation rate for higher education to reach 22 per cent.
§ The Prime MinisterThe number of students currently in higher education is an all-time record. Future projected demand based on final data for 1983–84 implies an age participation index rising to 15.5 per cent. in 1997, compared with 13.5 per cent. in 1983–84 and 12.6 per cent. in 1979–80. The public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 9428) reaffirms the Government's objective of maintaining access to higher education for those who want it and are suitably qualified.