HC Deb 08 May 1978 vol 949 cc766-7
35. Mr. Canavan

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she intends to take any new initiative to improve educational opportunity for people in developing countries.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development (Mr. John Tomlinson)

With the help of the British Council and others, we are developing initiatives in several areas, including an expansion of English language teaching, distance teaching systems, and techniques of non-formal education.

These are designed to strengthen present Government-to-Government programmes which give priority to basic, vocational and technical education.

Mr. Canavan

As there are now a large number of vacancies in colleges of education in this country, will my hon. Friend consult the Department of Education and Science and the Scottish Education Department about the possibility of offering some of these places to overseas students, especially those from underdeveloped countries?

Mr. Tomlinson

As my hon. Friend readily recognises, the responsibility for that matter rests primarily with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Secretary of State for Scotland. However, one of the greatest needs of the developing countries in relation to education is for educational provision inside the developing countries. We shall continue to have close liaison with the Ministers responsible for education in this country on the best use of our resources.

Mrs. Dunwoody

Will my hon. Friend consider widening his field slightly and talking to the Department of Health and Social Security about the chances of exchanging young doctors who have just finished their training in this country, but are still in their pre-registration period, when they are of most use to underdeveloped countries in which they could not only teach but practise medicine before returning to this country for full registration?

Mr. Tomlinson

I am sure that my hon. Friend will recognise that that is a matter that is primarily the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. I shall make sure that his attention is drawn to my hon. Friend's remarks, and if he has any observations no doubt he will want to contact her.

Mr. Luce

Since it is in the interests of Britain as well as of the developing countries that we should provide further education facilities in this country, including technical facilities for students, surely the introduction of discriminatory fees for foreign students is inimical to British interests.

Mr. Tomlinson

The question of fees policy is under study. There are now 10,000 officially sponsored overseas students per year. We recognise the importance of doing our best to meet all the demands made upon us, but we should not underestimate the fact that there are 10,000 official sponsored students.

Dr. Bray

Does not my hon. Friend agree that the number of privately financed students from overseas is much greater than 10,000, and that the effect of the fees charged to overseas students is to discriminate against the poor in the developing countries and in favour of the wealthy?

Mr. Tomlinson

I recognise what my hon. Friend has said. These questions are being considered. We are at present considering how financial assistance can best be channelled to students from poorer developing countries, and all these matters will be taken into account in those considerations.