§ Lord Dholakiaasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will exempt students from charges for visas extensions for the purposes of completing their studies in the United Kingdom. [HL4996]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe fully recognise the contribution overseas students make to the United Kingdom and wish to encourage them to study here, but do not accept that the general taxpayer should fund the service. The benefits, are after all, reciprocal. If we were to implement exemptions at reduced fees for students this would be argued, with some justification, to be unfair to other applicants paying the full fee, some of whom we are equally anxious to attract to the United Kingdom.
It is my expectation that new students will be granted sufficient leave to enable them to stay for a short time beyond the completion of their studies to enable them to travel in the United Kingdom or attend their graduation. Instructions to this effect have been reissued.