HL Deb 04 October 1976 vol 374 c820

2.52 p.m.

Lord TREFGARNE

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 Government what percentage of the cost of the Army Staff College at Camberley is covered by fees received from overseas students, and what percentage of the student body is made up of these students.

Lord WINTER BOTTOM

My Lords, about 15 per cent. and 25 per cent. respectively.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Lord for that reply, which is more satisfactory than I had hoped. Would the noble Lord not agree that the standard of training provided by the Staff College at Camberley is second to none in the world and that the fees charged ought to reflect that?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

Yes, my Lords; but it is not a one-way traffic. The training of the 46 members from overseas forces out of the 180 students brings to this country benefits which cannot be measured but which are very real.

Lord PEDDIE

My Lords, do I understand from the Answer given by my noble friend that 75 per cent. of the fees involved are paid by Her Majesty's Government?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, let me say that I am most anxious to get this right. One hundred per cent. of the fees are paid by Her Majesty's Government and are recouped by receiving 15 per cent. from the foreign Governments who send their students to the College.