HC Deb 03 May 1956 vol 552 cc572-3
14. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the numbers of Africans from the High Commission Territories of Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland, respectively, receiving higher education in the United Kingdom and South Africa; and what steps he is taking in expanding secondary education in those territories so that there may be men and women candidates for the new multiracial university of Central Africa.

Commander Noble

The information asked for in the first part of the hon. Member's Question is not readily available, but I am taking steps to obtain it and will write to the hon. Member.

For the second part of his Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my predecessor on 10th March, 1955, to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Fenner Brockway). The programme for developing secondary education in the territories described in that reply is making satisfactory progress.

Mr. Johnson

Can the Minister give an assurance, in relation to the second part of the Question, that there will be African teaching staff in the new university at Salisbury, particularly in the faculty of African languages? Would it not be unfortunate if this new university began with an all-European teaching staff?

Commander Noble

I think that question goes a little far from the original Question. If the hon. Gentleman likes to put the question down, I will certainly answer it. I can assure him that we attach great importance to this matter. For example, Basutoland is applying for £29,000, Bechuanaland is spending £41,000, and Swaziland has been granted £12,000 for the purposes of secondary education.

Mr. Dugdale

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that candidates from these territories and indeed from anywhere else, while successful in passing the examination into this university, are still subject to a veto by the Southern Rhodesian Government? Was that fact taken into consideration before making the grants?

Commander Noble

I think that that is another question. If the right hon. Gentleman will put it down, I will try to answer it.

Mr. Hale

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that many of the difficulties of administration in the High Commission Territories arise from the continued existence of the headquarters of the High Commissioner in the Union of South Africa? Has not the time come when this whole question should be reconsidered?

Commander Noble

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Johnson

On a point of order. Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that he has invited me to put on the Order Paper Questions which, no doubt, he will be very glad to answer, but unfortunately I cannot get those Questions past the Table?

Commander Noble

I do not think that that is a matter for me.

Mr. Speaker

I see no point of order in that. I am afraid that many Questions are put down which do not pass the Table.