HC Deb 04 February 1948 vol 446 cc1782-3
7. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why so few scholarships for university courses and other training in this country are available in West Africa compared with the West Indies.

Mr. Creech Jones

Many of the Colonial scholarship holders received scholarships under a special scheme for Colonials who did war service in the United Kingdom. The number of West Indians who served in the United Kingdom greatly exceeds the number of West Africans who did so. Thus, out of 532 West Indian scholars at present in the United Kingdom and Eire, 313 received their awards under this special scheme, whereas out of 335 West African scholars only 20 did so.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the Secretary of State see that a parity is reached between these two Colonies? Why should the West Indies be penalised because there were more in the Forces from West Africa than from the West Indies?

Mr. Creech Jones

This was a special scheme and it related to members from the respective territories who were in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the Minister try to get parity now that this business is settled?

Mr. Creech Jones

That is another question.

Dr. Segal

Would the Secretary of State seek to draw a distinction between scholarships for academic and research studies and purely professional scholarships, and seek especially to increase the number of post-graduate scholarships?

Mr. Creech Jones

Different types of scholarships are available. Some are granted by the local Colonial Government and others are available under the Colonial Development and Welfare Grants. We have post-graduate as well as pre-graduate people in this country now doing their course of study.