PRIME MINISTERS INITIATIVE ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Early day motion 703, tabled 9 February 2005 by David Lepper (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 33 members.

That this House congratulates the Department for Education and Skills, the British Council, English UK and all those involved in the successful implementation of the Prime Minister's Initiative (PMI), launched in 1999, to increase the number of international students coming to the UK for education; notes that the target set for increasing the number of higher education students was reached two years early and that the PMI contributed significantly to the UK regaining its 40 per cent. share of the global market for English language students; further notes that funding for the Prime Minister's Initiative is due to end in April 2005; calls upon the Government to assess the important contribution which the PMI has made to enhancing the worldwide reputation of education in the UK and its contribution to the UK economy; and further calls upon the Government to consider how funding for the Prime Minister's Initiative can be continued beyond April 2005.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Labour/Co-operative 4, Liberal Democrat 3.