§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to increase the number of students from west Africa who are offered places in further education or higher education in the United Kingdom; what is the present total of such students; and if he has any target figures for future years.
§ Mr. EggarIn 1986–87, the latest year for which there are complete figures, there were almost 4,000 students from west African countries studying at universities and public sector institutions of higher and further education in the United Kingdom. Her Majesty's Government gave, under various schemes, financial support to a large proportion of these students. The number of students receiving such support will he nearly 1,700 in the current financial year. We expect this figure to increase in future years.