HC Deb 03 May 1949 vol 464 cc817-8
34. Mr. Thomas Reid

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual cost to the British taxpayer of providing scholarships and other educational facilities to individual aliens and to individual British subjects who are not residents of Great Britain.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the cost of certain arrangements for the provision of scholarships and educational facilities for the persons mentioned.

Mr. Reid

Will my hon. Friend say whether, in view of the heavy taxation in this country, expenditure on things like these are essential?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I would ask my hon. Friend to remember that in 1947 we passed an Act through this House—I think by general consent—the Polish Resettlement Act, in which certain provisions were made which, of course, the Government have had to implement.

Mr. Lipson

In view of the fact that this money is very well spent, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that it is the intention of the Government to continue this policy?

Following is the statement:

Apart from the cost of the special services mentioned below, the cost to public funds of providing educational facilities for the persons mentioned is not known but is thought to be very small. The Polish Resettlement Act, 1947, gave the Minister of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland specific powers under which they can provide Poles who elect not to return to Poland with the education necessary to fit them for resettlement here or overseas. The total cost of all services so provided, including the cost of schools for Polish children, is estimated at £1,936,400 in 1949–50. The net expenditure of the British Council in the financial year 1948–49 in providing scholarships and other educational facilities for the persons mentioned was £201,800. Expenditure by the Colonial Office in 1948–49 for the same purpose was approximately £275,300.