HC Deb 20 April 1955 vol 540 c176
19. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will confer with His Highness the Sultan of Brunei with a view to securing voluntary collaboration in the provision of facilities in Brunei for the training of teachers and of nurses and medical assistants for service in Brunei and in Sarawak and British North Borneo.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Collaboration in all matters of common concern is already the function of the inter-territorial conference of the three Borneo Governments, and I do not think that special arrangements are necessary in these particular fields.

Mr. Sorensen

In view of the high promise of the Brunei five-year development plan, is there any likelihood of its being used under the direction of the Sultan's Council for the benefit of Brunei's poorer neighbours?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Brunei has already shown her readiness to help neighbouring territories, but I think it would be very wrong if we gave any impression that we intended to use the richness of Brunei, without her wish, to help neighbouring territories. The teacher training colleges now established in Sarawak and North Borneo are open to Brunei candidates, and I am advised that better facilities exist there than could be created quickly in Brunei itself. In regard to the training of medical assistants, all my advice is in favour of the territories doing their own training in their own territories.

However, I should like to thank His Highness the Sultan and the people of Brunei for the help which they have given in many ways to less fortunate territories, and not least for the very large loan which they have recently made available for the Federation of Malaya to combat the spread of Communism.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I made no suggestion that pressure should be exerted by this country on Brunei and that I entirely share his appreciation of what Brunei has done?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I think that, as in so many other things, this is a case where there is very little in dispute between the hon. Gentleman and myself.