§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he is doing to promote graduate training in Europe of south American nationals; and what assessment he has of the number of such graduates in Europe in 1983 and the most recent available date.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydHuman resource development is a priority for our bilateral technical co-operation programmes and, wherever appropriate, United Kingdom training is an integral part of aid-funded projects.
It has not been possible to obtain statistics relating to south American nationals studying in European countries other than in the United Kingdom. Obtaining the statistics from all European countries could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
In 1984–85, the total number of students from south America studying in the United Kingdom funded by Her Majesty's Government sources totalled 292 at an approximate cost of £1.6 million; statistics for overseas students funded by Her Majesty's Government prior to this are not available. In 1992–93, the number of students from south America was 641 at a cost of about £4.38 million. A breakdown of these totals by country of origin has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Our aid programme has supported the bulk of Her Majesty's Government-funded students from south America. Aid funds are provided under our bilateral technical co-operation training arrangements—287 students at a cost of approximately £2.22 million in 1992–93—and under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office scholarship award scheme—274 students at a cost of approximately £1.76 million in 1992–93.
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