§ 8. Dr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will extend the scope of the Overseas Students Welfare Expansion Programme to include provision for the wives and children of Commonwealth students, in view of their difficulties in obtaining family accommodation.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesSome small proportion of the additional accommodation provided for students under the 1372 Overseas Students Welfare Expansion Programme is now available for married couples. The double rooms provided for married students can accommodate cots but difficulties arise when the student has older children. The problem is presently being studied by the British Council, and the review of the programme which is currently being undertaken will take into full account the special difficulties of married overseas students with children in getting accommodation in Britain.
§ Dr. BrayIs my hon. Friend aware that that news will give encouragement to people who are helping to provide suitable accommodation in London and other cities? Is he further aware that the problem of families is very pressing and that it is highly desirable for additional grants to be provided and not merely an alternative use made of such funds as the Government feel able to allocate?
§ Mr. HughesYes, Sir. Perhaps it will help my hon. Friend if I tell him the position of the programme in March, 1965. A total of 3,427 additional hostel places had been approved. There were 73 projects, 25 of which are in London. The number of places so far actually available is 1,979 and the total number of grants paid is £1,207,679. We are making considerable progress and hope to make more in the coming months.