§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department takes to help provide education facilities within the United Kingdom for young people from third world countries. [50903]
§ Mr. FoulkesOne of my Department's key objectives is to improve quality of, and access to, education within developing countries.
My Department provides funding for about 3,500 scholars each year from developing countries to study at universities and other Higher Education Institutes, at a cost of £23 million in 1998–99.
In addition, DFID supports a small programme of school exchanges through Education Partners Overseas, at an annual cost of £50K. This involves developing country children coming to this country for a short period.
Within the UK, it is the responsibility of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) to ensure that there are sufficient suitable school places within their areas for all resident children, this includes those from other countries, and those with refugee status.