§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Overseas Development how many overseas students are receiving educational grants from her Department; what are the actual estimated grants made; to what extent other earnings or income may be added to such grants; and whether there
832Wnumerous to list in full. The following is a broad summary of firm bilateral aid commitments since 1st January 1978 by country, with the period of the commitment where appropriate:
is any limitation on such earnings or other payments before the grants are reduced or ended.
§ Mrs. Hart6,862 overseas students and trainees were being assisted by my Department on the 31st December 1977—the latest date for which statistics are available. For the majority the award comprised maintenance allowances—£177 833W a month in most cases—tuition fees and fares to and from United Kingdom. Maintenance allowances are abated by any earnings in United Kingdom during the period of training. For the remainder an annual grant of £325 is made towards the cost of tuition fees for full-time courses, on evidence of financial need; these awards are not affected by any subsequent earnings. Opportunities for gainful employment for overseas students brought to the United Kingdom under my Department's programmes are few.