§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many scholarships are being awarded to overseas students; how much is being spent on those from the ODA budget during the current year; what was the number and cost in real terms(a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 15 years ago; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe 1993–94 expenditure figures are not yet complete. But we expect a total of 15,100 scholarships for overseas students funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to have been taken up this financial year. The ODA's provision—11,300 awards—is worth some £118 million, which includes an estimate of £10 million for other training activities for which an accurate forecast is not available.
The number and cost in real terms five, 10 and 15 years ago are as follows:
11W
Cost in Real Terms—(1993–94 prices) £ million Year ODA component ODA component 1988–89 19,088 (13,882) 129.91 (112.17) 1983–84 9,081 (6,666) 84.76 (76.53) 1978–79 7,709 (7,643) 55.95 (55.12)