HC Deb 15 July 1953 vol 517 cc2036-7
9. Mr. D. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the appointment of Mr. John Rex as organising tutor to the extra-mural department of Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, was cancelled.

Mr. Lyttelton

I regret that in following the hon. and learned Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Bing) on 18th June I inadvertently referred to this gentleman's appointment as having been cancelled. In point of fact Mr. Rex had not been selected for or offered any appointment on the staff of this college. The question of cancellation does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Healey

Can the Colonial Secretary assure the House that there was no intervention by Her Majesty's Government against Mr. Rex's appointment at any stage? Can he also assure the House that Her Majesty's Government have no objection to Mr. Rex applying for any other similar appointment which may arise in the field of colonial education?

Mr. Lyttelton

These bodies are, of course, largely autonomous. So far as I know there is nothing to prevent Mr. Rex applying for any job anywhere else.

Mr. Healey

May I have an answer to the first part of my supplementary question?

Mr. Lyttelton

I have no information to the effect that any representations were made.