§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the percentage of female engineering graduates with(a) first degrees and (b) second degrees who gain employment related to their field of study. [70701]
§ Mr. MudieIn 1996–97, the total number of women graduating from UK higher education institutions with first degrees in engineering was 2,206. Of those who stayed in the UK after graduation, 34 per cent. went into employment in occupations related to their field of study.
In the same year, 650 women completed post-graduate degrees in engineering. Of those who stayed in the UK after graduation, 39 per cent. went into employment in occupations related to their field of study.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what resources for access funds will be made available for engineering students in further and higher education in England in 1998–99. [70702]
§ Mr. MudieIn the current academic year (1998–99) £9 million was allocated to general Further Education Access Funds and £44 million to general Higher Education Access Funds. We have allocated a further £2.8 million this year for fee remission for further and higher education students on part-time courses who have lost their job since beginning their course. The criteria for issue of funds are general and take no account of course subject.
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