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1743 Student Visas
6 JUNE 2013
Student Visas
1744
Mr Harper: That is a helpful point, which has been
mentioned by several hon. Members—for example, the
hon. Member for City of Durham (Roberta Blackman-
Woods) told us about sharp increases in the number of
international students at her local university.
As my final point—I do not want to test your patience,
Madam Deputy Speaker—I will touch on the student
visitor visa route, on which the hon. Member for Rhondda
expressed two slightly different views. First, he said he
was pleased that international students are coming here
on shorter courses, but then he voiced some concerns. I
hope he noticed that yesterday we published some detailed
research that I think makes it clear that the visitor route
is being used exactly as intended. It is attracting high-value,
low-risk migrants who contribute positively to economic
growth; in large part, they attend institutions that are
accredited by bodies approved by the Home Office, and
most are doing English language programmes or university
exchanges. There is literally no evidence of displacement
from tier 4 into the student visitor route. The number of
students from countries where we have seen abuse under
tier 4 and where we have cracked down on that abuse is
rising in single figures—fewer than 10—so there is no
evidence of further abuse, which I think is very positive.
It is perfectly proper that the hon. Gentleman raised the
question, but the evidence shows no risk at all.
In conclusion, Madam Deputy Speaker—
Mr Andrew Smith: Will the Minister give way?
Mr Harper: Yes; I think I am allowed to give way
briefly.
Mr Smith: Before the Minister concludes his remarks,
will he tell the House how he intends to respond to the
Select Committee recommendations and his reasons for
that response? He has not yet done so.
Mr Harper: The right hon. Gentleman knows that
the Government have responded to the Select Committee
reports and to each of the Select Committees. The
clearest response is this: we do not have a cap on
student numbers, and I do not think our net migration
target means that we will have to take action that
damages universities. Universities were originally concerned
that having a net migration target and counting student
numbers, as all our international competitors do, would
drive the Government to take decisions on future policy
that would damage universities. The fact that we have
stated clearly that not only do we not have a cap but we
are not going to have a cap—that was stated not only by
me but by the Prime Minister—should reassure universities.
We will take every opportunity to communicate that
positive message about our excellent offer for international
students, and we will work in partnership with our
excellent universities to continue to increase the number
of international students who come here from around
the world. In that, I think I can say that I speak for
every right hon. and hon. Member who participated in
the debate.
3.7 pm
Mr Bailey: Conscious of the time, I will be brief. I
thank everyone who contributed to the debate. When
I applied for it, my objective was a debate that was
constructive in tone and would enable us to discuss
issues and to present facts and figures that are not
normally publicised to the extent that they should be. In
its own way, the House today may have helped to
change the perception abroad by making it clear that
this House recognises and understands the contribution
that international students make to our economy and
welcomes them.
My second point, however, is that the Minister has
not really resolved the contradiction at the heart of
current policy. As my hon. Friend the Member for
Sheffield Central (Paul Blomfield) said, it is contradictory
to say that bona fide students are welcome and there is
no cap on numbers and, at the same time, to say that
there is a target to reduce overall immigration to fewer
than 100,000 and student visas should be included
in the numbers. The Minister exercised some fairly
sophisticated arguments in justification, but I put it to
him that, were he to undergo a credibility interview on
that point, he would find it hard to persuade Members
and would-be international students in foreign countries
that what he said is the case.
Lastly, I remind the Minister that the consensus that
has emerged during the debate is reflected more widely.
Although I did not anticipate the Secretary of State for
Business, Innovation and Skills coming to the House to
vote for the motion, his public utterances have made
it clear where he stands on the issue. The Mayor of
London—it shows how passionately I feel about it that
I quote the Mayor of London—has also made public
statements in favour of the arguments set out today,
and my hon. Friend the Member for Islington North
(Jeremy Corbyn) has made similar statements. When we
get three such representatives across the political spectrum,
I hope the Minister will accept that there is an enormous
and growing consensus in favour of the recommended
course of action.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved,
That this House notes the recommendations of the House of
Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, the Home
Affairs Select Committee, and the Committee of Public Accounts,
together with the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee
and the EU Sub-Committee on Home Affairs, Health and Education,
for the removal of students from net migration targets; and
invites the Home Office to further consider the conclusions of
these Committees in developing its immigration policy.