So, did your parents go to university?

Plans to establish the social background of university applicants provoked widespread controversy yesterday, with critics saying they amounted to "social engineering" while others praised them for encouraging diversity.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) disclosed on Thursday that it planned to ask applicants about their parents' academic background and their occupations, whether the candidate has spent time in care, and their ethnicity.

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Responses to The Independent yesterday from a cross-section of leading figures in the educational world showed that not having university-educated parents was not a barrier to success. However, reaction to the proposals appeared to divide along the lines of those in the independent sector and those who supported state education.

The plan, backed by the Government and the university vice-chancellors, is said to be designed to help widen participation in higher education and follows the debate over top-up fees, which are believed by many to discriminate against students from poorer backgrounds.

Critics argue that collecting such information is unnecessary and could discriminate against middle-class students. Boris Johnson, shadow Education Secretary, said the proposals were an "outrageous attempt to politicise the admissions process".

But Wes Streeting, the National Union of Students' vice- president for education, said: "This is primarily a monitoring tool. The real bias in higher education is that non-traditional students, some from care and most of whom have no family history of higher education, are still not properly represented in universities, and especially at the most elite universities."

In my experience: what the experts say

Chris Woodhead, FORMER CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS

No one in my family had a degree when I went to university. I think universities should be accepting or rejecting students solely on their ability to demonstrate their ability.

Professor Alan Smithers, HEAD OF THE CENTRE OF EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT AT BUCKINGHAM UNIVERSITY

My parents were working-class. My dad worked in Billingsgate fish market and my mum left school at 14 and was a sweet packer. I don't think universities should ask students about their family backgrounds. They should take their decisions based on the student's capacity to benefit from the course that they have applied for. That should be based on evidence of what the students have demonstrated they can do through school. These kind of questions concern me.

Alan Johnson, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION

My parents did not go to university and neither did I. [Mr Johnson was orphaned at 12 and raised by his sister.] This is a sensible move by the university sector, as part of its overall effort to widen participation in higher education.

Steve Sinnott, GENERAL SECRETARY, NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS

No one in my family had a degree and I was an 11-plus failure. I think there is always the fear that information about family background could be used against someone. If it is used for positive purposes to help disadvantaged applicants then it is potentially a good idea.

Sir Peter Lampl, PHILANTHROPIST WHO RUNS SUTTON TRUST CHARITY

Neither of my parents had a degree. But I don't regard this [initiative] as social engineering. Universities are entitled to have a fuller picture if they are to select the best candidates. A student's achievement to date in terms of examination results is not the whole story.

Barry Sheerman, CHAIRMAN, COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

My parents didn't go to university, but all my children have. My brother went into care in the 1930s because my parents were so poor. I think it is important to find out as much as you can about applicants, because A-levels do not tell the whole story.

Dr Mary Bousted, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS AND LECTURERS

No one in my family had a degree, but both my parents had teaching certificates. I can see what they're trying to do - level the playing field. The question about whether you have been in care is a legitimate one because of the appalling educational outcomes of children in care. If someone has made it through to a university interview after being in care, then that should be taken into account. As to whether anyone in the family has degrees, there are other ways of finding out information about background. What would worry me more is if a student was being discriminated against through having a background of having to go out to work in a gap year to save up money for university - instead of spending time, say, at an orphanage in Romania. I think it is legitimate for universities to inquire into social background.

Martin Stephen, HIGH MASTER OF ST PAUL'S SCHOOL FOR BOYS

My father was the first member of my family to go to university and get a degree. I'm a great believer in what the Bible says about the sins of the father not being visited on the son. I don't think children should either be punished or rewarded because of their parents' status. I think it is a totally unfair question to ask. What is it being asked for?