HC Deb 14 May 1985 vol 79 cc104-5W
Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list, in respect of his Department's education report No. 100, the difference in the projected number of students entering higher education between variant Y and variant X in 1985 and 1988; and, in each case, what percentage of all undergraduates this difference will represent.

Mr. Brooke

Variant Y of report on education No. 100 has been revised to take account of final figures for entry to higher education in Great Britain in 1983–84. This revised projection was published in letters of 30 January 1985 from my right hon. Friend to the University Grants Committee and the national advisory body for public sector higher education.

The differences in the projected numbers of home initial entrants between variant Y (revised) and variant X in 1985–86 and 1988–89 are 10,000 and 9,000, respectively. These represent 6 and 5 per cent., respectively, of all home initial entrants (full-time and sandwich) as projected by variant Y (revised).

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning his Department's education report No. 100 and the adoption of variant Y rather than variant X as the projection of demand for entry to higher education.

Mr. Brooke

Among other representations received the University Grants Committee and the national advisory body for public sector higher education each referred to this matter in their advice on the development of a future strategy for higher education. The advice of both bodies was published last September. Copies are in the Library of the House.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what criteria his Department decided in the context of education report No. 100 to adopt variant Y rather than variant X as the projection of demand for entry to higher education.

Mr. Brooke

Variant Y of the Department's projections of future demand for higher education (as revised) represents a continuation of demand at a level consistent with actual levels of entry to higher education in 1983, the latest year for which firm figures are available. It therefore represents the most recently observed propensity to enter higher education as affected by relevant educational and other factors, such as the distribution of places between sectors, the level of student support and the availability and attractiveness of other opportunities.