HC Deb 18 May 1982 vol 24 cc174-5
2. Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has now trade of the impact of higher fees on students from poor countries who would like to study in the United Kingdom.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. William Waldegrave)

No full analysis of enrolments by students from developing countries in 1981–82 can be made at present. When that analysis is available there will be an assessment of the situation of such students in the light of the forthcoming Overseas Students Trust report on future policy options.

Mr. Dubs

Is the Minister aware that it is impossible for a Member of Parliament to visit a Commonwealth country or to meet Commonwealth visitors to Britain without hearing strong expressions of anger at what we are doing to the aspirations of their students? Will he take more positive steps as a matter of urgency to ensure that poor students are not debarred from coming to Britain?

Mr. Waldegrave

My right hon. Friend and other Ministers are aware of the anxieties.

Sir Paul Bryan

Am I right to believe that there will be no reconsideration of Government policy on overseas student's fees until the Overseas Students Trust report is published? If so, when may we expect the report?

Mr. Waldegrave

My hon. Friend is entirely right. We shall receive the report within the next week or two.

Mr. McNally

Is the Minister aware that rather than attracting the best and brightest we are already attracting the rich, privileged and second rate?

Mrs. Kellett-Bowman

Rubbish.

Mr. McNally

That is exactly the information that is coming out of universities.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must ask a question.

Mr. McNally

Is the Minister aware that many academics feel that they are academic pimps, going around the world for overseas students? Moreover, is he worried that instead of the great tradition of attracting students who were often at variance with their Governments, Government policy is increasingly ensuring that only those who agree with their Governments have the ability and opportunity to study in British universities? Does he agree that that is a great break with our tradition?

Mr. Waldegrave

In view of the hon. Gentleman's rather enthusiastic language, it is as well to remind him that it was the Labour Adminstration, for which he was then working, that began the process of raising overseas students' fees. Moreover, it is a little insulting to the tens of thousands of students who still come here, despite the increase in fees, to speak as the hon. Gentleman has done.

Mr. Whitehead

Are not the worst figures in the general fall-off in the number of overseas students coming to this country those for students enrolling in non-advanced courses, which show a decline of some 37 per cent.? Does the Minister agree that this may be a serious consequence of the Government's policy, as such students often come from poor backgrounds in poor countries where there are no analogous courses?

Mr. Waldegrave

The hon. Gentleman is quite right. We shall wish to consider that matter in the light of the OST report.

Mrs. Kellett-Bowman

Is my hon. Friend aware that I strongly resent the allegation of the hon. Member for Stockport, South (Mr. McNally) that persons such as those who went from Lancaster to impress upon other countries the excellence of universities should be described as "academic pimps"? When the review comes out, will it be possible to make scholarships available to poor students from poor countries who undertake to return to their countries to give them the benefit of their education?

Mr. Waldegrave

I agree with my hon. Friend that the hon. Member for Stockport, South (Mr. McNally) got a little carried away. I remind the House that the ODA allocated £42 million last year for the purposes to which my hon. Friend refers. We shall review her suggestion and others when we receive the report.