HC Deb 10 May 1956 vol 552 cc1390-2
5. Mr. Dugdale

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether Her Majesty's Government made it a condition of the grant to the new university at Salisbury, that the Southern Rhodesian Government should not exercise a veto on the entry of students whether or not they had passed the required examinations.

Commander Noble

No, Sir. The legislation of Southern Rhodesia was amended in 1954 to enable Africans to take up residence at the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland subject to the ultimate power of the Southern Rhodesia Government to withhold approval in individual cases. The Southern Rhodesia Government strongly support the principle that the College should be open to all races and I am confident therefore that they will not use their powers in such a way as to restrict the entry of Africans into the College.

Mr. Dugdale

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman really stating that the Government gave a grant of more than £1 million to a university when there was to be a veto by another Government in respect of the people who might enter the university?

Commander Noble

Yes, Sir, but as the Southern Rhodesia Government specially amended their legislation to allow Africans to go to the university, I have every confidence in their sincerity in the matter.

Dr. Summerskill

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many African women are to be admitted to the university?

Commander Noble

I cannot possibly tell yet, because the university is not completed.

Mr. Griffiths

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman ensure that, as in the case of other universities, the authority and control of the university is vested in the university council without any political influence?

Commander Noble

I think I made that abundantly clear on the last two occasions when the matter was raised in the House, and my noble Friend also did so in another place last week.

6. Mr. Dugdale

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether it was a condition of the grant to the university at Salisbury that there should be Africans on the teaching staffs.

Commander Noble

No, Sir. The selection and appointment of the teaching staff at the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland are matters for the council of the College.

Mr. Dugdale

I appreciate that, but does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it would be desirable to have Africans on the staff? Does he not also agree that the terms should be such as to attract English people to go there so that the university shall not have to depend entirely on South African teachers, as may well happen?

Commander Noble

It is clear that the charter of the college provides that no test of race or nationality shall be imposed in order to entitle any person to be admitted either as a teacher or as a student. Perhaps I might also say in reply to the right hon. Gentleman that it would be very easy to set up a European university at Salisbury and it would be very easy to set up an African university there, but what is being attempted is the setting up of a multi-racial university. It is a great experiment, and it is supported by Africans and Europeans on the spot. I hope that we can now let the university council get on with its job, and send from this House all good wishes for its success.