asked Her Majesty's Government:What the proportion of 18 year-olds entering higher education was in 1969, 1979, 1981 and 1982, and what it is anticipated to be in 1983 and 1984, for home-based full-time students in England and Wales

Information is not readily available in the form requested. However, it is estimated that home entrants under 21 to higher education in England and Wales expressed as a percentage of 18 year-olds (the age participation rate) were as follows:1969–70 1979–80 1981–82 1982–8313·3 11·9 12·9 12·8 (provisional) The age participation rate for higher education is normally expressed for Great Britain as a whole, so that these figures differ slightly from those usually provided. Projections for 1983–84 and 1984–85 cannot yet be provided because the implications of the Government's expenditure plans for student admissions in future years have to be discussed with the bodies concerned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, if they wish to reduce the cost of living, they will consider ordering British Telecom to use part of their profits to reduce their charges substantially in order to establish a "benign circle" of lower prices leading to increased turnover and profits.

Although the Government have increased the incentives for efficiency and lower prices by introducing competition, British Telecom's management are responsible for the level of tariffs. There is no question therefore of the Government ordering British Telecom to take action of the kind referred to. British Telecom are themselves, however, well aware of the importance of low prices, deciding as they have that with half-year profits of £268 million they could further defer tariff increases until at least 1st July ensuring 20 months of price stability. BT have also introduced price cuts since January 1982 which will save customers £340 million in a full year.