§ 30. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the steps he has taken, in conjunction with the Pakistan High Commission, to relieve the financial difficulties of East Pakistan students in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. WoodEast Pakistani students in Britain are the responsibility of the Pakistan High Commission. A number of these students are said to be in financial difficulties because of the continuing emergency situation in East Pakistan. The assurance I gave in a debate last May was based on the understanding—subsequently reaffirmed—that the High Commission was willing to assist allbona fide students in need. My officials have obtained details of individual cases from the United Kingdom Council for Overseas Students Affairs and have been discussing the problem with the High Commission.
The High Commissioner recently assured me that he remained ready to help and had done so in a number of cases.