§ 38. Mr. Lipsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much the Government spend in Kenya per head on educating European children; and will he give the comparable amount for African children?
Mr. M. MacDonaldOn the basis of the figures for 1938, which are the latest available, the amounts in question are: European children, approximately £17 12s. per head; African children, approximately 12s. 3d. per head. In neither case are contributions from the funds of local authorities taken into account.
§ Mr. LipsonIs my right hon. Friend satisfied with the amount spent upon the education of African children, and in view of the fact that it is the declared policy of the Government to prepare the natives of these regions to take their part in government, will he not consider doing more in the matter?
Mr. MacDonaldOn more than one occasion I have stated that the Government are not satisfied with the rate of progress in these African Colonies. It was partly for that reason that, in the statement of policy which was issued last week, we announced that in future it 2056 would be possible to finance education services out of the funds made available by the British Exchequer.
§ Mr. PalingIs this 12s. per head reckoned on the number of African children actually in school or on the whole of the children who are old enough to go to school?
§ Mr. SorensenMay I ask how much per head it is estimated will be spent under the new arrangement?
Mr. MacDonaldI could not possibly say that. We have not even got the legislation through Parliament yet.