§ 3.16 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 it is true that the Secretary of State for Education and Science is shortly to make a Statement regarding the fees payable by overseas students, revising the proposals made on 5th July last, and if so whether she will, before making such a Statement, take into consideration the views of the representatives in London of the overseas countries concerned.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION and SCIENCE (Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge)Yes, 1462 my Lords, it is true that my right honourable friend hopes to make a Statement shortly on the fees recommended for home and overseas students in 1977–78, in the light of the consultations which have followed her predecessor's statement of 5th July in another place. The noble Lord will not expect me to anticipate the substance of that Statement. My right honourable friend has already received through various channels a wide range of views from representatives of overseas countries in London, and she will of course weigh these against the many other considerations which have to be taken into account in reaching a decision.
§ Lord GLADWYNMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I nevertheless inquire whether the Government do not take the view that any substantial increase over and above to increase suggested the other day, which was substantial enough, would not only have a deplorable effect on our relations with many of the poorer countries, who are considerable friends of ours, but would also deprive us of a much-needed source of foreign exchange?
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGEMy Lords, the answer the question which the noble Lord just asked will doubtless be included in the Statement which my right honourable friend will make. I repeat that he will not expect me to anticipate that Statement; if he does, I am afraid he will be disappointed.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, having regard to the difficulty in which overseas students are necessarily placed by not knowing what their financial future will be in the current year, may I ask the noble Lord to say how soon "shortly" is likely to be?
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGEMy Lords, the answer to the noble and learned Lord is that I cannot give a date, but I can say that the consultations are in their last stages.
§ Lord DAVIES of LEEKMy Lords, further to my noble friend's reply to the noble Lord, Lord Gladwyn, may I ask whether he is aware that some of us believe that the scientific, political and engineering education that has been given to students of all races from overseas and from places of 1463 every kind has been one of Britain's great assets overseas, in that money spent in this way is money well spent for the future of Britain?
§ Lord ROBBINSAnd for the world, my Lords.
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGEMy Lords, I in no way differ from that. I would only point out that quite a lot of money is being spent in this way.
Baroness VICKERSMy Lords, in view of the previous Statement about an increase in fees, may I as, the Minister whether there has been a fall in the number of applications from students?
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGEMy Lords, there was a fear that the number of applications from home students might fall, but as I am not fully briefed on the matter I had better write to the noble Baroness about it.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, in considering this matter, would the Government bear in mind that a number of these overseas students, when they return to their countries, have high influence both politically and economically, and that it is very desirable that their good will should be maintained?
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGEMy Lords, of course this is one of the things that is taken into consideration in the very difficult decisions which the predecessor of my right honourable friend and my right honourable friend herself are having to make.