HL Deb 04 November 1998 vol 594 cc270-2

3.1 p.m.

The Earl of Carlisle asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether undergraduate and graduate students from the "5+1" nations negotiating for entry into the European Union and studying at United Kingdom universities pay fees at the European Union rate; and, if not, whether they plan that such students should do so.

The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)

My Lords, access to higher education in any member state on terms no less favourable than for home students, including fees, forms part of the package of rights and obligations that accompany full membership of the European Union. The Government believe that it would not be appropriate to extend this right to non-member states. However, a total of 11 pre-accession countries are, or soon will be, taking part in the EU's education programmes. One part of Socrates Erasmus allows students from those countries to come to the UK for part of their higher education without paying fees in the UK.

The Earl of Carlisle

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her reply. Is she not aware that at the moment the universities in the United Kingdom are pricing themselves out of the market and that as a result these "5+1" nations are not able to send their students to our universities? Does the Minister agree that that is unfortunate not only for our universities and our students but also for the students of the "5+1" nations who would return, having attended our universities for education, and assist the "5+1" nations, which include the four Visegrad nations and the northern Baltic state of Estonia? Will she approach European Union Ministers in other countries to see whether the system can be changed? If the system cannot be changed, will she increase the number of Chevening Trust scholarships available to these "5+1" nations?

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, I am not aware that UK universities are pricing themselves out of the system. More students from the European Union are studying here this year than last and there are many more students from the European Union in the UK than there are British students abroad in the European Union. The British higher education system encourages students from the "5+1" countries to spend part of their time studying in the UK. As I said in my initial Answer, the new arrangements for students from those countries to come here on Erasmus programmes will be very beneficial for them.

Lord Campbell of Alloway

My Lords, perhaps I may ask the noble Baroness whether "5+1" is a term of art. If so, how does one qualify for entry?

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, I believe that "5+1" is something of a term of art. The "1" is Cyprus and the "5" are the pre-accession countries of Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

The Earl of Carlisle

My Lords, perhaps I may help the noble Baroness. The fifth country is Slovenia. Will the noble Baroness answer the second part of my question, which concerned the Chevening Trust? Many of our ambassadors, including the ambassador to Estonia, Mr. Craddock, is not receiving any funds this year from the Chevening Trust because they have all been used up. Certain students from Estonia are denied access to education in this country.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, there are many good cases for support of students from all over the world through the Chevening scholarship scheme. In considering priorities, we have to look at the former Commonwealth countries and countries in the third world as well as those in central and eastern Europe. I shall convey the noble Earl's comments about the particular needs of the latter group of countries to my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary.