§ 16. Mr. Peter Smithersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total number of colonial students at United Kingdom universities and technical colleges at the latest convenient date; and how many of these students were specialising in tropical agriculture and forestry, respectively.
Mr. DugdaleOn 31st May, the number at universities was 1,503 and at non-university colleges, 2,470; 62 students are following agricultural courses and 12 forestry courses, of a general nature. Specialisation is undertaken at the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad, or in the territory concerned.
§ Mr. SmithersIn view of the small number of students studying forestry and of its great importance in the Colonial Empire, is the Minister satisfied with those numbers and can he take any steps to increase the number of forestry students at the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture?
Mr. DugdaleIt is up to the student to decide what he wants to study, but we shall do everything we can to encourage an increase in forestry students.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydCan the hon. Gentleman say how many of these are private students and how many Government students?
Mr. DugdaleTwo-fifths of the total number are Government students and the remainder are private students.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIn view of the fact that these students—like students in most countries—largely think that there is something derogatory about working on the land, can we not give them some encouragement and point out the necessity, if their Colonies are to survive as healthy organisations, of having more of these people on the land?
Mr. DugdaleI agree that it is essential that we should do everything possible to encourage people to work on the land and in forestry, and I hope my answer will do something to help towards this end.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydIf two-fifths of those students are Government sponsored, 1274 does not that show up the figures given by the hon. Gentleman in a very poor light indeed? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Because of the very small numbers engaged in the studies to which he referred. If two-fifths are Government sponsored, ought there not to be many more engaged in the sort of training to which my hon. Friend referred?
§ Mr. SorensenWould my right hon. Friend make it quite clear that these students are quite entitled to choose for themselves what avocations they prefer?
Mr. DugdaleCertainly. I thought I had made it clear in my previous answer that it is up to the student to choose, but, naturally, we hope there will be a reasonably large number who will study that subject.
§ Mr. SmithersI beg to give notice that owing to the importance of this matter, I shall raise it on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.