HC Deb 20 December 1989 vol 164 cc250-1W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of Britain's university and polytechnic graduates make a career in accountancy.

Mr. Jackson

The 1988 survey of first destinations of graduates shows that 52,936 new first degree graduates of United Kingdom universities and polytechnics in England and Wales were recorded as entering United Kingdom employment. Of these, 4,836 or 9 per cent. went into accountancy. Separate information from the 1987 labour force survey shows that 18 per cent. of all graduates employed in Great Britain were working in industry division "Banking, finance and insurance" which, includes accountancy.