HC Deb 26 April 1956 vol 551 cc1966-9
44. Mr. Dugdale

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what conditions are attached to the grant made from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds for the foundation of a university college in Salisbury.

Commander Noble

The grant is subject to the usual conditions which are attached to the issue of Colonial Development and Welfare Funds for the development of higher education. It was also a condition that the recurrent costs should be met from other sources.

Mr. Dugdale

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that many people who were delighted that there should be a multi-racial university established are deeply disturbed to hear that Africans are to eat in separate dining halls and live in separate houses? Does this form of apartheid have the approval of the Government, and is it in keeping with the ideas which led them to give a grant to this university?

Commander Noble

I do not accept the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. This is the first multi-racial university in the Federation, and I am sure that the authorities on the spot will make the best arrangements for its success. I am certain that this House will wish the university all success.

Mr. Bevan

Has not the hon. and gallant Gentleman dodged the main question? I am quite certain that the authorities on the spot will make the best possible use of the physical resources at their disposal, but does the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the separating of races in an educational institution of this sort of contribution to the multi-racial policy? That is the point raised by my right hon. Friend and which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has not answered.

Hon. Members

Answer.

Commander Noble

I think that I answered the right hon. Gentleman—

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Bevan

This is a very important matter which may have the most unfortunate consequences. Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are certain developments in the Colonial Office of which many hon. Gentlemen on this side of the House approved? There have been developments towards multiracial policy which have been approved by hon. Members on both sides of the House. Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that when this reply is read in Africa it will have a most unfortunate effect?

Commander Noble

Perhaps I might quote to the right hon. Gentleman from the Royal Charter granted to this college in February, 1955: No test of religious belief or profession or race, nationality or class shall be imposed or required of any person in order to entitle him to be admitted. … To go further than that, I would say that I rely on the Federal Government and the council of this university to do what they think is best.

Mr. J. Griffiths

May I ask the hon. and gallant Member whether he realises that since the end of the war we have established universities in East and in West Africa which are fully multi-racial. Both were helped from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund, and this one is being helped. Is it true that the conditions are as referred to in his original question by my right hon. Friend? If so, will not this be the first time that we have used funds from this country to establish a university which is not truly multi-racial?

Commander Noble

There is no question but that this university is multi-racial. Certainly there is segregation—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—but it is at the desire of the people on the spot, and I have great confidence in them.

Mr. Nicholson

Would it not be wiser and more statesmanlike on the part of hon. Members on both sides of the House to leave this matter for the time being to those on the spot to see how things go on, rather than to try to inject ill-feeling from this country into that part of the world?

Mr. Gaitskell

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that we on this side of the House take a very serious view of this matter? Will he please explain what he means by "the people on the spot"?

Commander Noble

I mean, of course, the council of the university.

Mr. Bevan

The Government will understand that we cannot leave the matter there and that we must take it up in a much more serious way?

Commander Noble

I would answer the right hon. Gentleman in the words of my hon. Friend the Member for Farnham (Mr. Nicholson). I am sure that these things are much better settled by the people on the spot rather than by question and answer in this House.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this is the first time a grant has been given from the Commonwealth Development and Welfare Fund for higher education and used for purposes not fully multi-racial in the full sense of the word?

Commander Noble

This is multi-racial in the full sense of the word.

Mr. G. Thomas

The Conservative sense.

Mr. Dugdale

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's answer, I beg to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter at the earliest opportunity.