HC Deb 06 May 1953 vol 515 cc361-2
34. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received the report of the Commission set up in connection with the establishment of a Central African College for the higher education of Africans; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Lyttelton

The Report, which is addressed to the Central African Council, has been received and will be published early in June. I cannot yet make a statement on the Report, but I hope to touch on the subject of higher education in Central Africa in the debate we are to have later this afternoon.

Mr. Wigg

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to tell us when the Report was received?

Mr. Lyttelton

Speaking from memory, I believe it was about two or three weeks ago, but I will send the hon. Member the date.

Mr. Wigg

If the Report has been in the right hon. Gentleman's hands for three weeks, surely it would have been possible, in view of the importance of this subject, for the Government to have made an announcement long before this?

Mr. Lyttelton

It seems to me a great pity that the hon. Gentleman is not in closer touch with the handling of public affairs. I can only say that I will make a statement, which I think will give him satisfaction, on many of these points this afternoon.

Mr. Beresford Craddock

Will my right hon. Friend hasten the building of the college so that the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg) can quickly become a student of it?