To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many international students participated in the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme in 2005; and what estimate he has made of the number of international students who will participate in the scheme in 2006. (83158)

I have been asked to reply.

2,889 international students participated in the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme in 2005.

Between 1 January 2006 and 30 June 2006 a total of 2,000 international students participated in the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme. On that basis it is estimated that this figure will rise to over 4,000 before the end of 2006.

This information has not been quality assured, and is not a National Statistic. It should be treated as provisional management information and may be subject to change.