HC Deb 11 April 1951 vol 486 cc1013-4
43. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why 66 students of medicine and dentistry have been transferred from Guam to the Central Medical School at Suva, Fiji; what are the nationalities of the students; and what is the total number of places available at the Central Medical School.

Mr. J. Griffiths

These arrangements were made to overcome difficulties resulting from the transfer of responsibility for Guam from the U.S. Navy Department to the Department of the Interior. The students accepted came from United States Trust Territories in the Pacific. Special arrangements were made to accommodate these students in addition to the normal number of students at the school. In 1949, the latest year for which information is available, there were 44 students and an additional 50 students were expected in 1950.

Mr. Rankin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a strong local belief that dental and medical education for the people there are being cut down to accommodate the United States? Is there any truth in that belief?

Mr. Griffiths

No, I have had no representations of that kind, and there is certainly no truth in such a belief.