asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage of young people in Oldham, Kirklees, West Yorkshire and England who continued in full-time education after the age of 16 years during 1977, 1978 and 1979; and if he will make a statement.

The percentages of young people aged 16–19 in full-time education in the selected areas during the academic years 1976–77 and 1977–78 were as follows:

	1976–77
Oldham	15·9
Kirklees	24·6
West Yorkshire	21·8
England	24·0
	1977–78
Oldham	18·1
Kirklees	24·0
West Yorkshire	22·8
England	25·1

Comparable information for 1978–79 is not yet available. Depth study of the variation between local education authorities in such participation rates suggests that certain demographic factors are important. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the relevant statistical bulletin published by my Department last December.