§ 17. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions exist on applications for United Nations Organisation bursaries by African residents of Kenya or other non-self-governing territories.
§ Mr. HopkinsonNone, Sir. On the contrary, in selecting candidates from Dependent Territories for fellowships and scholarships the United Nations give priority to indigenous candidates. Applicants must, of course, be able to fulfil the general conditions prescribed by the technical assistance administration of the United Nations.
§ Mr. RankinIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Kenya Government find it difficult, they say, to introduce compulsory education for Africans 1336 and to provide sufficient African teachers for the purpose, on the ground of lack of finance? Is this not a method whereby the Kenya Government might ease some of their burdens, and will the right hon. Gentleman encourage that Government to make a wider use of bursaries than they are evidently doing?
§ Mr. HopkinsonThis particular matter, as the hon. Gentleman realises. concerns only persons already in Government service, or whom the Government would employ after the tenure of their scholarships. On the last occasion, the Government of Kenya informed us, in June, 1951, that they had no suitable indigenous candidates for nomination. I would point out that it is not only a question of finance from the United Nations, and that the Kenya Government are required to help with the financing of such matters as travelling expenses and outfitting, and in a number of other ways. This is solely confined to persons in the Government service.
§ Mr. BaldwinIs my right hon. Friend aware that if the students who come over here would take up a course of teaching instead of wanting to become lawyers, it would be better for their own people when they got back.