HC Deb 17 January 1945 vol 407 cc133-4
2. Mr. John Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received information from the Chinese Government expressing their willingness for students to come to the universities in this country; and, if so, how many are coming and what arrangements are being made for their reception.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

Yes, Sir. The Chinese Government decided in September to allow all students holding Chinese or foreign scholarships to proceed abroad, as well as self-supporting students who have passed the Chinese Ministry of Education's qualifying examination.

Sixty post-graduate scholarships were offered last March by the British Council to students to be selected by the Chinese Government, who announced in October that they would select the students on the results of an examination to be held early in December. The British Council will be entirely responsible for the placing, reception and welfare of these students. Four students who have been selected for additional British Council Scholarships by His Majesty's Embassy in Chungking have left China in recent weeks. Thirty students were selected last February for scholarships awarded by the Board of Trustees for the Administration of the Boxer Indemnity Fund. I am informed that these students are likely to leave China for this country next spring. The Universities China Comemittee will be responsible for their reception and general welfare.

I have no information to show whether the Chinese Government intend to send other students than these to British Universities. If they do, I am sure that the British Council will give full co-operation in arranging for their reception.

Mr. Thorne

May I ask my right hon. Friend if the Prime Minister, when he makes a statement in regard to the war situation, will mention the fighting between China and Japan?

Mr. Eden

I feel sure that my right hon. Friend will have something to say about the Far Eastern war in general.

Miss Ward

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these scholarships will be eligible to Chinese women students as well as to men?

Mr. Eden

I would like notice of that question, but I think that the selection remains in the hands of the Chinese themselves.