HC Deb 21 October 1981 vol 10 c135W

Mr. Hooley asked the Lord Privy Seal whether refugees from the Republic of South Africa are eligible for any form of scholarship or training grant from United Kingdom funds or from international funds to which the United Kingdom contributes.

Mr. Luce:

No United Kingdom Government funds are available to finance scholarships or training for refugees from the Republic of South Africa.

Mr. Hooley asked the Lord Privy Seal what scheme of scholarships or training grants administered by the United Kingdom exists for the benefit of black South African students; and how many students are current beneficiaries of such a scheme in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Hurd:

There are two schemes administered by the British Council which provide for South Africans to come to Britain for study or training. One is entirely financed by the British Government, partly through the British Council budget and partly through ODA. Forty South Africans are at present benefiting from this scheme. The second scheme is the United Nations education and training programme for Southern Africa. This is financed by contributors to the scheme, and 20 South Africans are at present in the United Kingdom benefiting from this scheme.

The British Council does not record ethnic origins in its statistics, but I am advised that all but six of those at present in. Britain under these schemes are non-white.