To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the number of students expected to enter university in (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05. [98062]

The latest data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show UK and overseas applicants for entry into English universities are up by 1.7 per cent. from 300,000 in 2002–03 to 305,000 in 2003–04. These are very early figures as the applications cycle is only just beginning, but we welcome the increase in applicants. It is too early to say what the final picture will be as it is final acceptance figures, not early application figures, which are the most important indicator of entry to HE.Detailed estimates of the number of students expected to enter university in 2004–05 are not available.