§ 10 and 11. Mr. HAYESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what is the number of persons on the staff of Achimota College, on the Gold Coast; what is the total expenditure incurred upon the staff to date; and how many pupils are now being educated by this staff;
(2) whether his attention has been drawn to complaints about the organisation of Achimota College, in West Africa; whether he is aware that a large staff was appointed many months ago, at a heavy expense to the Colony of the Gold Coast, without having any scholars to educate; and when it is proposed that the teaching of students shall commence?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWith the hon. Member's permission I will take his two questions in regard to Prince of Wales' College, Achimota, together. My right hon. Friend has received no complaints in regard to the organisation of the college, which will not be ready to receive students until early in 1927. The principal and 19 members of the staff have, however, already been appointed in order to give them the opportunity of acquiring a knowledge of native languages, customs and institutions before the college opens. About £8,000 has so far been spent on the salaries and passages of these officers. I may take this opportunity of saying that my right hon. Friend attaches the highest importance to taking every possible measure to ensure the success of this college, the institution of which will, he trusts, mark an important step forward in the history of native education in West Africa, and he considers the experience which these officers will gain in the time before the actual duties of instruction begin will operate to that end. I may add that the action taken in this matter was recommended by the Governor of the Gold Coast and is in accordance with the views of the Advisory Committee on Native Education in Tropical Africa.