§ Lord AVEBURYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Home Office did not issue a special voucher to Mr. V. V. Patel in time for the start of the academic year 1976, as promised in a letter from the then Minister of State dated 8th December 1975.
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSIn a letter dated 8th December 1975 the then Minister of State at the Home Office said that a special voucher should be available for Mr. Patel in time for the start of the academic year 1976. This was based upon advice received from our High Commission in New Delhi who are responsible for the issue of vouchers in India. It is very much regretted that due to a clerical oversight Mr. Patel was not informed that his special voucher was available until 6th October. If, however, Mr. Patel himself had applied at an earlier date for his voucher it would have been issued in good time before the starting date of his course of study in the United Kingdom.
House adjourned at a quarter-past nine o'clock.