HC Deb 01 March 1966 vol 725 cc250-1W
Mr. Jackson

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the nature of the arrangements made with the Republic of Chile to provide industrial training in this country for Chilean nationals; how many such trainees are expected to arrive here annually in the next five years; which Department will be responsible for placing them in British industry; and what is the estimated cost to public funds of this training in the next financial year.

Mr. Oram

No special arrangements have been made to provide industrial training in this country for Chilean nationals, but one Chilean trainee is at present studying thermodynamics and fuel technology at Leeds University and three trainees are expected to arrive in 1966 to study engineering, building research and aspects of the iron and steel industry. The cost to technical assistance funds in the next financial year 1966–67 will be about £1,800. It is not possible to forecast the number of trainees who will arrive in succeeding years since this will depend upon the requests we receive from the Government of Chile and the funds available.

Responsibility for placing officially-sponsored trainees in British industry rests with the Ministry of Overseas Development and the Ministry of Labour. Chile is also one of the countries covered by the Confederation of British Industries Scholarship Scheme and I understand that 30 scholars have come here from Chile between 1953 and 1965.

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