§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 13 February 1998,Official Report, column 440, concerning Iraqi students at British universities, what assessment he has made of Iraqi Government financial or other support for the Iraqi students who are not receiving United Kingdom funding or official Iraqi funding; and, of the 16 receiving Iraqi Government funding, what proportion are funded by the Iraqi ministries of (a) Defence, (b) Trade and Industry or equivalent, (c) Science and Technology, or equivalent and (d) Communications. [30390]
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§ Dr. HowellsNo assessments of this kind have been made. Iraqi students attending UK higher education institutions who are not supported by funds from the United Kingdom are responsible for making any appropriate fee payments direct to the institutions concerned.
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 13 February 1998,Official Report, column 440, concerning Iraqi students at British universities, what assessment he has made of the potential for studies undertaken by Iraqi students in each subject of study to be of assistance to the Iraqis' military, chemical and biological capability. [30416]
§ Dr. HowellsHer Majesty's Government seek to prevent the transfer of technology related to weapons of mass destruction in the higher education sector through the operation of the Voluntary Vetting Scheme which is administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This scheme applies to post-graduate students and post-doctoral researchers from certain countries, including Iraq, and covers those scientific disciplines relevant to weapons of mass destruction technologies or the missiles to deliver them. Under the scheme, universities and higher education colleges are asked to refer potential students from specified countries who are seeking to undertake research in particular disciplines to the Government. The Government provide advice on individual applicants and the universities and colleges then make the final admission decisions. This is a voluntary arrangement and there is currently no law in place to oblige higher education institutions to contact Government over admission matters.