§ 63. Dr. Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what financial assistance is given by Her Majesty's Government towards education in Uganda.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. John Profumo)In the current development period, 1955 to 1960, assistance of £1,460,000 is available from Central C.D. & W. funds towards capital expenditure at Makerere College, the University College of East Africa. The cost of primary and secondary education in Uganda is met entirely from local sources.
§ Dr. KingIs the Minister aware that his Answer shows that the bulk of the cost of education in Uganda is met by poor people without capital resources to lay by for education and that parents are living on subsistence incomes and making 595 terrible sacrifices to contribute to the education of their children? If we believe in the Commonwealth, is it not our duty to do more for them?
§ Mr. ProfumoIt is open to Uganda to apply for such assistance from the uncommitted balance of its territorial Colonial Development and Welfare allocation.
§ 64. Dr. Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of children attending primary school in Uganda this year, the number of children of primary school age not attending school and the number of children who left primary school without completing the four-year course last year.
§ Mr. ProfumoNo figures are yet available for 1957, but at the end of 1956, 399,612 children were attending primary school in Uganda and approximately 250,000 children of primary school age were not attending school. I regret that information on the number of children who left primary school last year without completing the four-year course is not readily available.
§ Dr. KingIs the Minister aware that even the inadequate information which he has given the House shows that, while much has been achieved in Uganda, there is a tremendous amount to be done before the children of Uganda will have anything like the opportunity, even of primary education, that other children have? Will he take that as part of his work to help the people of Uganda?
§ Mr. ProfumoI can assure the hon. Member that we fully appreciate the point he has made and that every effort is being made to increase the educational possibilities.
§ 65. Dr. Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Uganda students at present in British universities, the number of these financed by the Uganda Government, and the number financed by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. ProfumoEighty Uganda students were studying at universities in the United Kingdom during the past academic year. Of these 48 were financed by the Uganda Government or local authorities and two by Her Majesty's 596 Government from Colonial Development and Welfare funds.
§ Dr. KingWould the Minister agree that the figures he has given show that Uganda is making a tremendous effort to provide some of its own children with university education? Would not he use his influence with universities in this country to give some free places to promising young African students?
§ Mr. ProfumoThat is a matter I should have to consider, and I will.