§ Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the numbers of black Rhodesian students in the United Kingdom who have failed to gain entrance to a place of education and indicate the period of time in which they will be allowed to remain in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonI have been asked to reply.
No reliable estimate can be made, since there is no central record of applications to educational institutions and award-making bodies; but the majority of the 900 or so would-be students who have applied to the Ministry of Overseas Development are expected to qualify for assistance under the enlarged programme of aid to Rhodesian Africans.
My right hon. Friend has already announced that Rhodesian Africans who were here before 16th October and have not obtained academic grants will be allowed to seek work here; the length of stay that is permitted will be a matter for decision in individual cases.