asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the number of admissions of foreign students to English and Welsh universities in 1979; and what was the corresponding figure in 1978.

Separate figures for England, Wales and Scotland for 1979–80 are not yet available. It is estimated, however, that in 1979–80 there were about 17,000 overseas undergraduates and postgraduate new entrants to British universities, as compared with 18,627 in 1978–79.