30
7 July 1982]
[Mr Crowther Contd.]
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE
MR PETER REes, MP, Mr C B BENJAMIN and MR A DUNNING
because of the intervention of the Prime Minister's Office. In other cases there is sometimes a belief by the firm that they might win the contract but, in fact, even in the best of circumstances they might not have won it. I really do not think it is possible to make any kind of accurate estimate of the number of cases which have fallen, as it were, because of the operation of this directive.
96. Do you accept part of this problem at least arises from the Malaysian Govern- ment's dispute with Her Majesty's Govern- ment over student grants?
(Mr Rees.) This is certainly one of the factors which the Malaysian Prime Minister identified as a point of friction, shall we say.
97.
What are your feelings about the possibility of ironing out these difficulties in the near future and overcoming them?
[Continued
(Mr Rees.) I am sure the Committee will have noticed the report by the Overseas Students Trust - that is its technical nam- that is being very carefully considered by Her Majesty's Government
e
98.
Chairman
Mr Rees, I would like to thank you and your colleagues very much indeed for attending this morning and answering our questions. We shall be meeting again on a future occasion and meanwhile I would thank you all very much.
(Mr Rees.) I am very grateful to you, Chairman, and Members for your courtesy and the understanding way in which you have accepted our answers. We will endeav- our to supplement any points on which our answers were inadequate in due course, if
we may.