HC Deb 20 February 1996 vol 272 cc103-4W
Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the number of students on courses funded by the European social fund who studied for (i) up to 16 hours a week, (ii) 16 to 21 hours and (iii) 21 hours and above in the latest year for which information is available. [15573]

Mr. Forth

The information required is provided in the following table and has been taken from the 1994 final claims. It is provided in a format slightly different from that requested to prevent any student from being counted twice. Of approximately 1.6 million beneficiaries, the following breakdown is available.

Hours studied Number of beneficiaries1
Up to 16 hours per week 400,600
17–21 hours per week2 67,100
More than 21 hours per week3 923,300
1 Figures rounded to nearest 100.
2 Category does not include those studying for 16 hours per week.
3 Category does not include those studying for 21 hours per week.

Approximately 200,000 beneficiaries are excluded from the table as the information on number of hours studied could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.