HC Deb 20 February 1973 vol 851 cc55-6W
Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to enable the 200 Asian students from Uganda at universities and technical colleges already studying in this country, who do not come within the terms of reference of the Uganda Resettlement Board, but whose studies are being disrupted by financial hardship, to complete their course of study.

Mr. Kershaw

A number of awards under the overseas students fees awards scheme will be allocated to Ugandan Asian students. As in previous comparable circumstances, the Supplementary Benefits Commission has agreed that, exceptionally, those on first degree or equivalent courses need not be required to register for work during term-time for the remainder of the current academic year, so that they will be able to claim supplementary benefit to provide for maintenance. Approximately 60 of the students, including some on O and A level courses and a few doing postgraduate work, will not be eligible for consideration under the above arrangements, but I believe that the private organisations concerned may be able to help them.