§ 48. Mr. T. SMITH (for Mr. LUNN)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many schools for Somali children (whether elementary or secondary) there are in British Somaliland; how many children attend them; where these schools are situated; what fees, if any, are paid; and what proportion of the cost is provided by Government funds?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThere is one elementary school at Berbera, attended by about 120 boys. The cost of this school, amounting to £ 100 a year, is borne entirely by a Government contribution. In addition the Government provides £100 a year as subsidy to various Koran schools in the Protectorate, and £300 a year to pay for the education of selected boys at the Gordon College Khartoum.
§ 49. Mr. SMITH (for Mr. LUNN)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is considering any schemes of economic development, particularly in the matter of water conservation and irrigation, in British Somaliland; and whether he will consider the advisability of sending an expert commssion to study the possibility of such development on the spot?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERWater boring operations have been in progress in British Somaliland since 1930, financed by grants from the Colonial Development Fund. A new supply has been discovered in the coastal plain at Sillil, and in places the existing supply has been improved; but in other places the work of the boring party has not met with success. I am awaiting a final report on the operations, which will shortly be concluded. Mineral surveys have on several occasions been conducted in various parts of the Protectorate, but the prospects do not warrant the sending of a further expert commission to study development.