HC Deb 09 November 1949 vol 469 cc1193-4
26. Mr. Lennox-Boyd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now give further details of the arrangements with the British Council for the accommodation of Colonial students.

Mr. Creech Jones

As from 1st January, 1950, the British Council will take over from the Colonial Office arrangements for accommodation and hospitality for Colonial students including the administration of the students hostels. I propose that the details of these arrangements should be made known in a public announcement which I hope will be ready very shortly.

Mr. Sorensen

Will it be possible in future to ask Questions of the Colonial Secretary regarding this accommodation when the British Council is taken over?

Mr. Creech Jones

I should like to have notice of that.

Mr. Driberg

Can my right hon. Friend say roughly how much is to be charged by the British Council, and whether he is of the opinion that the ex-Service men on temporary release who are among these students will be able to afford to stay at these British Council hostels as a result of his Department's recent very unwise and shabby circular to them?

Mr. Creech Jones

I do not know much about the circular referred to. The standard of charges will not, I think, be any higher than that now operating in the hostels.

Mr. Wilson Harris

Is the cost of this activity borne by the funds of the British Council and, if so, is there any danger of its being restricted owing to the impending cut on those funds?

Mr. Creech Jones

No, Sir. The cost will be provided by a grant under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act.

Mr. Driberg

As my right hon. Friend is not aware of the circular, will he investigate and find out if it is not the case that it threatens all these students that their standard of living will be reduced very drastically and their allowances cut down?

Mr. Creech Jones

I am not aware of the circular to which my hon. Friend refers, and would like particulars of it. I can only say that in large numbers of cases overseas Governments have recently increased the amount of the scholarships and of the allowances payable to students in London.

Mr. Sorensen

Do I understand my right hon. Friend correctly as saying he does not know whether he can be asked questions in the House about the work of the British Council in this respect?

Mr. Creech Jones

As I have said, I would like notice of that, so that I may consider the implications of the question.