HC Deb 23 July 1985 vol 83 cc511-2W
45. Mr. Forth

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the approximate number of students in higher education engaged on (a) arts and humanities courses and (b) on courses in science, engineering and technology.

Mr. Brooke

The numbers of home students enrolled on higher education courses in 1983–84, the latest year for which information is available, was as follows:

Great Britain
Subjects Full-time and sandwich Part-time*
Arts and humanities 303,500 101,400
Science, engineering and technology 216,300 134,000
* Excluding 76,000 Open University students of whom approximately half were following arts and humanities courses.

Mr. Hirst

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the Green Paper, The Development of Higher Education into the 1990s; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Brooke

Although my right hon. Friend is beginning to receive representations on the issues raised in Cmnd. 9524, the majority are not expected until later in the year. Such representations will be taken into account in the further formulation of policy for the future development of higher education: the Government hope to be able to make a further statement of their intentions in 1986.