§ 14. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how soon he anticipates that it will be possible to fulfil the promise that Makerere College is to be a University College for all the peoples of East Africa; and what has been the result of the recent discussions with the University of London.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Creech Jones)I cannot at present state exactly when Makerere will 377 achieve university college status. Negotiations with the University of London are proceeding and with the valuable help of the Colonial Inter-University Council I am hopeful that the College will soon take a considerable step forward towards full status.
§ Mr. DribergIs my right hon. Friend aware of the anxiety and eagerness which exists about this matter, and can we take it that he will not, like the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, attribute every humanitarian impulse of this or any other kind to Communist propaganda?
§ Mr. Creech JonesWe are all very anxious that the College should acquire university status as quickly as possible, and all efforts to that end are being made.
§ Mr. PickthornDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is much more important that the standards should be university standards before the status is granted, than that the status should be granted in the minimum period of time?
§ Mr. Creech JonesI thoroughly agree with what the hon. Gentleman has said, and that explains the somewhat slow progress that is being made.
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the reasons for the standard not being achieved is because dons, or whatever they are called, are not being given a sufficient attraction in the way of salaries to take them out there?
§ Mr. Creech JonesNo, I do not think that that is the explanation of it at all.