§ 3.4 p.m.
§ Lord GLADWYNMy 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 Government whether immigration regulations affecting overseas students are under review and if so whether it is the Government's intention to consult such bodies as the United Kingdom Council for Overseas Students Affairs and the Overseas Students Advisory Bureau.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord HARRIS of GREEN-WICH)My Lords, the operation of the immigration control is kept under continual review, but the Government have at present no proposals to change the rules governing the admission or stay of students from overseas. I can assure the noble Lord that no change will be made without consultation with interested organisations, including those specified in his Question.
§ Lord GLADWYNMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. May I ask whether he will consider urgent consultation with these bodies? Secondly, is he aware that a great number of these over-seas students come from developinig countries, are encouraged to do so by this Government; and that when they arrive they find that owing to such things as the Rent Act and inflation their conditions are absolutely intolerable?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, I am sure that the noble Lord will recognise that the second part of his supplementary question goes rather wider than the Question he put down on the Order Paper. So far as the first point is concerned, we will gladly consult them ; but, as I have indicated, we have no proposals at the moment for changing the existing rules.