Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what research has been commissioned by his Department on the drop-out rate from higher education both before and after the introduction of student loans; and what account this research takes of drop-out rates in different socio-economic groups, and parental income brackets.
§ Mr. BoswellHigher education drop-out rates are published in the Department's annual report. Table 26 in the last report—Cm 2210—showed that drop-out rates have remained broadly steady over the period from 1982–83 to 1990–91. The figure for 1991–92 is 17 per cent.
Information about the socio-economic group or parental income bracket of students who drop out is not collected centrally. No specific research has been commissioned on drop-out rates before and after the introduction of student loans.