HL Deb 22 October 1968 vol 296 cc1438-9
LORD VIVIAN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Govern vent:

  1. (a) How many applications have been made by Cypriots in the past year for permits to enter Great Britain, especially to attend niversities or industrial colleges;
  2. (b) how many have been granted entry permits;
  3. (c) how many have been refused entry permits.]

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords, in the year ended September 30, 11,376 entry certificates were issued in Cyprus and 1,540 refused. These included 654 certificates issued to students, and 64 student applications refused. If there is any further information the noble Lord wishes to have, I shall be pleased to write to him about it.

LORD VIVIAN

My Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for the figures she has given, may I ask whether she is aware that during the past year a number of Cypriot students have been admitted to Russia to finish their studies over a two-year course? No fees are payable, as return transport and pocket money are provided. Furthermore, is the noble Baroness aware that many responsible Cypriots are perturbed about this, since Cyprus has a very small number of Communistic-thinking people at the present time?

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords, if the noble Lord has any individual cases in mind that are causing him concern, it would perhaps be more satisfactory if he would let me have the particulars. As I said. I shall be only too happy to correspond with him about this matter.

LORD VIVIAN

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, and I will take advantage of what she has said.