HC Deb 19 November 1985 vol 87 c120W
20. Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will undertake a survey to establish the number of school leavers who attained adequate educational standards for acceptance for further and higher educational courses in 1985, but who would not take up their places on such courses because of their inability to secure a grant sufficient to enable them to pursue these courses; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Brooke

The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys has been commissioned by the Department to carry out a survey of young people's intentions to enter higher education; and the Department has also commissioned, jointly with the Department of Employment and the Manpower Services Commission, a youth cohort study which will focus on the various routes taken by 16 to 18-year-olds through education, training, and the labour market. An important part of both surveys concerns the decisions made by those who, despite being suitably qualified, did not enter further or higher education.