HC Deb 04 July 1957 vol 572 c1294
37. Mr. Brockway

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if, in view of the surplus in the national budget of Swaziland for the year 1955–56, he will authorise increased expenditure on educational and health services.

The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)

The Swaziland accounts for the financial year 1955–56 do not show a surplus. On the contrary, they showed a small deficit. The Swaziland Government does however possess an accumulated surplus as an assurance against future needs.

Expenditure on educational and health services in Swaziland are steadily increasing and it is estimated that expenditure on education in the current financial year will be approximately four times the amount spent in the financial year 1950–51 and expenditure on medical services about two and one-half times the 1950–51 figure.

Mr. Brockway

Is not that reply a little misleading? Was there not in fact a surplus of £442,235 in March, 1956? As there are only 19 Government schools, and aid is given to 111, and there are only 25 doctors, some of whom serve mostly Europeans, are not the Government prepared to do more for education and health?

Mr. Alport

The Government are anxious to do all possible to advance education and health in the Protectorate, but the existence of a deficit for the financial year 1955–56 shows how prudent the Government have been in maintaining an accumulated surplus over previous years.