HC Deb 27 April 1990 vol 171 cc337-8W
Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what provision is made for Polish students to study in the United Kingdom;

(2) what funding exists to help Polish students study in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Jackson

In addition to the overseas research students awards scheme, which is competitive and administered on behalf of the Department of Education

Mr. Peter Bottomley

[holding answer 24 April 1990]: The information requested is as follows:

and Science by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, Polish students are eligible for support under various schemes run by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I understand that for 1990–91 the FCO expect to make available some £150,000 under their scholarship and awards scheme, to enable some 37 Polish students to study in Britain—some in conjunction with the Soros Foundation. If approved by the Council of Ministers of the European Communities the TEMPUS programme will also be available to support Polish students wishing to study in this country.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many Polish students are currently studying in advanced education in the United Kindom; and how many are likely to be studying over the next three years.

Mr. Jackson

In academic year 1988–89—the latest for whih data are available—53 full-time students domiciled in Poland were taking higher education courses in British universities, polytechnics and other publicly-funded colleges. No forecasts are available for the next three years but numbers are likely to grow, as a result of the Government's own programmes and of the introduction of the proposed TEMPUS programme currently before the Council of Ministers of the European Communities.