§ 41. Mrs. Lena Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes there have been in the number of overseas students studying in this country since the increase in fees.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsReturns for autumn 1967 indicate that there were 29,800 full-time overseas students in universities and grant-aided establishments of further education in Great Britain, as compared with 35,500 such students returned one year earlier. The real difference is likely to be much smaller than the 119W apparent one of 5,700 because the statistical returns for 1967 followed the definition of "overseas students" used for the purpose of fees, and excluded, therefore, some categories of students which were included a year earlier.
§ 42. Mrs. Lena Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many overseas students have been helped by the hardship fund following the increase in fees; what is the administrative cost of running this fund; and whether students applying to universities for the next academic year have yet been notified of their eligibility.
§ Mrs. Shirley Williams6,389; £6,000 in the financial year 1967–68; overseas students embarking on full-time study in this country for the first time in the next academic year are not eligible to be considered for assistance from the Special Fund, but those already studying here will be so eligible until their studies are completed.
The new Overseas Students Fees Awards Scheme (financed from the Vote of the Ministry of Overseas Development) will come into operation in 1968–69 and it is expected that in the first year approximately 1,000 students from developing countries will have their fees paid for them. The scheme is for students able to contribute to the social and economic development of their country and not primarily for those in hardship.