§ Wing Commander Bullusasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what are his proposals for increasing the number of students coming to this country from Commonwealth countries for legal and scientific training; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI have been asked to reply.
In 1960–61 there were in Britain 2,725 students from Commonwealth countries reading for the bar and about 5,000 students following courses in pure and applied science in universities, colleges of advanced technology and technical colleges.
Any large increase in the demand for legal training is not now expected in view of the progress towards setting up law schools in some of the Commonwealth Universities. But there is likely to be an appreciable increase in the demand for scientific training over the next few years and there should be no special difficulty in meeting the needs of Commonwealth countries.
My right hon. Friend is anxious that the facilities in this country should be put to the best possible use in helping overseas countries but the actual numbers coming here are a matter for the Governments of other Commonwealth countries to determine. On the legal 78W side the main demand is for help in setting up law faculties and law schools overseas; and my right hon. Friend is in close touch with those concerned with such projects. In the field of scientific education there is also a great deal to be done overseas as well as by way of providing places in British institutions, and Her Majesty's Government are playing an important part in helping to build up educational institutions in various Commonwealth countries and to train and supply teachers in scientific subjects.