HC Deb 19 February 1987 vol 110 cc831-2W
Sir Anthony Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards overseas students in the light of the document published by the Overseas Students Trust, a copy of which has been sent to him.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

On 9 June 1982 my predecessor welcomed the Overseas Students Trust's major report on overseas student policy. The Government now welcome this follow-up report as another constructive contribution to the development of policy in this important sector.

I note that the report fully supports the general lines of the Government's policy to welcome overseas students and to provide awards for a wide range of selected candidates. The report will now be carefully considered in the interdepartmental group on overseas student matters, and at the forthcoming round table meeting on overseas student affairs. This latter body involves interested individuals and organisations as well as Government Departments, and will be chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Mr. Walden) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science.