§ 33 and 34. Captain Alan Grahamasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) whether he is aware that at present there is no fully-qualified road-engineer for all the area of Kenya and Tanganyika; and how soon will this serious deficiency be corrected;
(2) whether, in view of the urgent need of improving road communications throughout the various British East African territories, he will consider the initiation of a long-term road-construction policy for the whole area, financially assisted by the Treasury, and planned, controlled, and administered by a technically competent co-ordinating board?
Mr. M. MacDonaldMuch attention is devoted by East African Governments to questions of road policy and large sums are spent annually on the roads under the supervision of qualified road engineers. The Colonial Governments are working on what are in effect long-term programmes, but the rate of progress must be determined by the funds available. It would be contrary to the usual practice for His Majesty's Treasury to make direct grants for purposes of this kind to Colonial Governments; considerable assistance has, however, been given to specific road schemes from the Colonial Development Fund. As regards inter-territorial road communications, the Governors of the East African Dependencies constitute an East African Transport Policy Board, and it is considered that regular co-operation between them and their appropriate officers is to be preferred to the creation of a joint staff.
§ Mr. Anstruther-GrayIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are some British surveyors doing some very good work in Kenya at an inadequate remuneration?
§ Mr. LeachAre we to understand from the answer that the fact alleged in Question 33 is entirely without foundation?
Mr. MacDonaldI think it is a misapprehension. There are qualified road engineers, but they are employed in various works, and this is only one of the employments on which they are engaged. There is no special full-time officer.