§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications were made by mature students for entry to courses in higher education for each of the last 10 years; and how many were accepted.
§ Mr. WaldenThe numbers of home applicants and acceptances, for students aged 21 and over through the Universities' Central Council on Admissions scheme have been as follows:
Applicants Acceptances 1976 15,176 6,303 1977 16,247 6,583 1978 16,699 6,998 1979 17,893 6,956 1980 17,776 7,122 1981 16,061 6,575 1982 15,254 5,742 1983 15,513 5,590 1984 16,534 6,249 1985 17,669 7,072 Similar figures for public sector higher education are not yet available. However, the total numbers of mature home students actually entering full-time higher education are as follows:
Estimated initial home entrants aged 21 and over to juil-time higher education in Great Britain Thousands 1976 33.0 1977 30.5 1978 32.3 1979 34.0 1980 33.2 1981 34.0 1982 35.9 1983 36.8 1984 37.1 11985 39.1 1Provisional.