HC Deb 12 May 1948 vol 450 cc2111-2
35. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities at present exist in Nairobi for technical training for Africans; and whether the Government of Kenya will consider approaching leading business firms with a view to the institution of training schemes for Africans in technical work.

Mr. Rees-Williams

There is a Government Training Centre for ex-Service men at which carpentry, masonry, tailoring, shoemaking and other crafts are taught. From 1st January next the centre will be open to African civilians. In addition, evening continuation classes, which Afri- cans are encouraged to join, exist in Nairobi for several subjects including plumbing, drainlaying, book-keeping and accountancy. Classes in several other' subjects have had to be closed for lack of present support from Africans. A special Committee on which business firms are represented is at present considering the expansion of evening classes into a technical institute and the institution of industrial apprenticeship.

Mr. Skinnard

Are business firms prepared to co-operate in providing technical assistance to the classes, trained staff and so on?

Mr. Rees-Williams

So far as limited resources allow, I believe they are.

Mr. Wilson Harris

During his recent visit did the Minister find that Africans would settle down satisfactorily to regular training schemes?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I had an opportunity to visit the Government training centre referred to here, and I found that the Africans settled down particularly well. They were all ex-Service men, of course, and they ran their own discipline, and the instructors had nothing but praise for the way in which they had settled down to their studies. I believe we have great hopes here.

Mr. John Hynd

Could the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the Government's intention to release the central technical training institute taken over by the military authorities at the beginning of the war, which could take 600 to 700 Africans a year?

Mr. Rees-Williams

We are looking into that matter.

Brigadier Rayner

Is it true that the Indian technicians now in the Colony are to be repatriated at the end of their contracts?

Mr. Rees-Williams

That is another question.

Mr. Niall Macpherson

Are training facilities to be made available to civilians free of charge or are there to be some conditions?

Mr. Rees-Williams

We are in the process of framing the scheme, and we will take the matter up.