HC Deb 19 November 1968 vol 773 cc1100-1
23. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will withhold further grants to overseas students who have failed to pass the Bar examinations in this country on four or more occasions.

Mr. Oram

It is not the practice of my Department to grant an extension of financial assistance for a candidate who has failed the Bar examinations on four occasions.

Sir C. Osborne

I am grateful for the reply. Is the Minister aware that in Gray's Inn 10 days ago a group of overseas students who had failed their examinations four times were demanding that they should have the opportunity to take the examinations again and again, thereby keeping out English students who would like to go there and be given a chance to pass the examination the first time?

Mr. Oram

I have read the Press reports about the incident that occurred, but I think the hon. Gentleman has a misapprehension about the responsibilities of my Department in this respect. We sponsor only those students who are put up by their Government, of whom there have been 19 during the last year.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Will my hon. Friend arrange for a free course for the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) not only on the nature of the work of my hon. Friend's Ministry but also on the adequacies of education for the Bar, which do not in any way keep out English students however many times coloured students fail the examinations?