§ 39. Mr. George Porterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in view of the need to develop pro-British feeling in Egypt, what steps are contemplated to increase the number of English schools there, and to see that the teaching staff of the existing ones are mainly British.
Mr. Noel-BakerThere are more than a dozen British schools in Egypt, which between them have over 3,500 British, Egyptian and other pupils. My right hon. Friend expects to receive further recommendations from His Majesty's Ambassa- 1150 dor in Cairo very shortly, but at present his desire is that existing schools shall be properly provided for before new schools are founded. The teaching staff of the existing schools are mainly British, and in spite of the present difficulties of recruitment more British teachers have recently gone out.
§ Mr. PorterWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that the general opinion of British residents in that particular area desirous of having their children educated under a system commensurate with the English curriculum is such that they are sending their children to this island to be taught rather than to these schools?
§ Mr. BossomCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these are boys' schools and how many are girls' schools?
§ Mr. BossomIs it not a fact that there are no girls' schools in Egypt?
Mrs. ManningIn view of the shortage of teachers in this country, are the Government still releasing teachers to go to Egypt?
§ Mr. StokesIs it the intention of His Majesty's Government, when these representations for increased schools are received, to supply them to the best of their ability?