HC Deb 22 November 1955 vol 546 cc1239-40
7. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Africans are now taking courses for the Queen's Commission from the territories of Uganda, Kenya, Tanganyika, Nyasaland, and Northern Rhodesia, respectively.

Mr. F. Maclean

There are no Africans from these territories attending training courses in this country. The difficulty lies in finding candidates with adequate educational standards. This is a long-term rather than a short-term problem.

Mr. Johnson

May I ask the Minister and indeed his Army colleague, the Secretary of State, who is sitting on the Front Bench, whether it would not be a good thing to extend the African Colonial Forces? Since there are a large number of West Africans taking the Queen's Commission, why cannot we similarly extend in the East and Central parts of Africa?

Mr. Maclean

We are waiting for suitable candidates to come forward. There is no attempt to keep them out; on the contrary we should welcome them.

Mr. M. Stewart

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is desirable that Her Majesty's Commission should be open to these men, and what steps is he taking to find suitable candidates?

Mr. Maclean

It is open, and a further scheme similar to that obtaining for West Africa is shortly coming into operation for East Africa.

Mr. Wigg

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that what he is now saying is in direct contradiction to the White Paper published by the Colonial Office advocating the setting up of an African "Sandhurst"? What are the Government proposing to do about that White Paper?

Mr. Maclean

That is another question.