§ 33. Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of white children of school age in Southern Rhodesia, the number attending school, and the total amount voted for the education of such children; and will he give similar information in the case of native children?
Mr. M. MacDONALDI understand that the number of white children of school age in Southern Rhodesia is 1860 10,374, all of whom attend school or receive tuition through correspondence classes. The amount voted in 1936C–37 for the education of white children is £311,309 exclusive of capital expenditure on buildings. The number of native children of school age is, I am informed, unknown; the number attending school is 101,492, a figure which includes a large unknown number above school age. The amount voted for native education in the current year is £79,673 exclusive of capital expenditure on buildings. Considerable expenditure on native education is also being provided by missionary societies.
§ Mr. PALINGAre we to understand then that the right hon. Gentleman agrees with this policy which in the matter of education alone imposes such disabilities upon native children?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members must understand that it is facts and not what Ministers think that we want to get at Question Time.