§ 23. Dame Joan Vickersasked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress is being made concerning the university in Fiji.
§ Mr. OramVery satisfactory progress has been made with the agreement of all the Governments concerned. The interim council for the planning and construction of the university held its first meeting in September and reached decisions on a numbers of important matters. We are sending out an architect to help with the physical planning and have provided £50,000 to help convert buildings and provide the necessary equipment for the first courses, which will begin in March, 1968.
§ Dame Joan VickersI thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, but can he say whether any hostels are being built for students from the other islands, as it is better for students in the Pacific Islands to go to a university in that area rather than come to this country, though they might, perhaps, come to this country for post-graduate education?
§ Mr. OramHostel accommodation will be in the overall plan, but I should like notice of the question whether it is provided in the actual planning of this £50,000 expenditure.