HC Deb 29 February 1956 vol 549 cc1156-8
2 and 3. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) why he has decided to close the branch office in Scotland of the Colonial Office;

(2) if he is aware that there are in Scotland about 600 students from various British Colonies; that the closing down of the existing branch of the Colonial Office in Scotland will deprive colonial students in Scotland of valuable and needed advice and assistance; and what alternative he proposes to put in its place.

21. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will reconsider his decision to close the Scottish branch of the Colonial Office since, although the Gold Coast and Nigeria have announced their intention to establish their own student departments, there will be no single authority to whom students from other Colonial Territories can turn in time of difficulty and to whom universities and colleges can refer; and whether he will arrange for a small branch office in Scotland, mostly concerned with Colonial students, but also available to keep the public informed about Colonial affairs and foster the recruitment of personnel for the branches of the Colonial Service that the undermanned.

Mr. Hare

I would refer the hon. Members to the previous reply I have given to the question by the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) on 1st February on the closing of this Office.

In time of difficulty colonial students in Scotland will be able to turn to the representatives of the British Council in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, who work in close touch with the students' units and with the Colonial Office. Universities and colleges in Scotland can always refer direct to the Colonial Office Students' Department which will continue to place students in University courses and to exercise a general oversight of student affairs on my right hon. Friend's behalf.

The business of keeping the public informed in Scotland about colonial affairs and the recruitment of personnel for the branches of the Colonial Service will continue to be handled by the appropriate branches of the Colonial Office. My right hon. Friend cannot possibly contemplate incurring extra expenditure for the setting up of an office to take over this work.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister realise that those reasons are quite inadequate for this devastating step on his part? While I recognise the good work which has been done by the British Council in Scotland and elsewhere, may I ask him whether he realises that closing down this office is bound to have an adverse effect on Her Majesty's colonial subjects who are deprived of these amenities?

Mr. Hare

I think that the hon. and learned Gentleman exaggerates. I am quite convinced that the arrangements which we have made, although the transition period is difficult, will meet the requirements of the students concerned.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Minister aware that there are about 600 colonial students in Scotland who were served by this office, and that it also attended to 300 students, mostly located in the North of England and in Ireland? Does he think that these arrangements will cater in future for the needs which were met by the office? Will he not consider the advisability of keeping a part-time service in an agency for the purposes formerly served by the office?

Mr. Hare

I cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman. I think that the arrangements which have been made will prove satisfactory, and I ask him to give them a chance.