§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the provision made to facilitate study in the United Kingdom by students from less developed countries who do not have the support or sponsorship of their own Governments, or do not have a Government to support them because they are refugees or from national minority communities.
§ Mr. OakesThe majority of overseas students receive subsidised education in this country in that their tuition fees represent only about 30 per cent. of the real cost of their courses. In addition, Her Majesty's Government meet the full tuition and maintenance costs of some 10,000 students from developing countries and assist about 3,000 refugee and other disadvantaged students. My right hon. Friend is, however, currently considering with her colleagues how in future resources can best be channelled to those overseas students who are most in need of help.