HC Deb 17 December 1997 vol 303 cc205-6W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many students there were in further education in 1987; and what is the number for the last year for which figures are available. [20308]

Mr. Hain

The number of students on further education courses at further and higher education institutions for 1987–88 and 1996–97 are given in the following table:

Number of students on further education courses at further and higher education institutions in Wales
1987–881 1996–972
Number of students 69,837 144,015

Sources:

Welsh Office (Further Education Student Record) and Further Education Funding Council for Wales (Individualised Student Record).

Notes:

1 At 1 November. Excludes the number of students at the Workers Educational Association and Young Mens Christian Association.

2 Provisional. At 1 December. Includes the number of students at the Workers Educational Association and Young Mens Christian Association.

Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (i) access and (ii) foundation course students are currently enrolled on courses in Wales which(a) are and (b) are not an integral part of a course of higher education. [20091]

Mr. Hain

For access courses, figures collected by the Welsh Funding Councils show that there were 1,804 full-time students and 1,123 part-time students (including some on very short courses) on access to higher education courses in further education sector colleges and external institutions in Wales in 1996–97. Access courses are classed as further education courses, although some are designed for entry to specific higher education courses.

Figures for foundation courses which are not parts of higher education courses are not available.

Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what proportion of students went on to higher education (i) within one year and (ii) within three years of having completed a foundation or access course in Wales in the last year for which figures are available; [20093]

(2) how many students currently enrolled on access and foundation courses in Wales applied for the course before 23 July; and if he will make a statement. [20092]

Mr. Hain

The information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what means-tested NHS bursaries he proposes to make available for medical and dental students in their fifth and subsequent years. [20096]

Mr. Win Griffiths

This matter is still under consideration.

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