HC Deb 14 March 1957 vol 566 cc1302-3
37. Mr. Brockway

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the number of posts held in the civil services by non-African members of the Union of South Africa in Basutoland, Swaziland and Bechuanaland, respectively; and what is the number of Africans in the civil services in each territory.

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

As my reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Brockway

While awaiting the opportunity to look at those figures, may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that although some of these officials from South Africa have gone to the Protectorates as a result of liberal views, there is a considerable fear among the African population of incorporation? Will he do his utmost to encourage facilities for Africans to take these posts?

Mr. Alport

The fear, if it exists, is unfounded. On recruitment for the Service in the Protectorates, I can only say that the information of my noble Friend is absolutely the same as that set out by the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) when he was Secretary of State, in which he said: I have every confidence in the staff of the High Commission Territories, from whatever country they may have been recruited."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 17th November, 1949; Vol. 469. c. 230.]

Following is the reply:

In the Civil Service of Basutoland there are 197 European officers, of whom 72 are citizens of the Union of South Africa and 311 are citizens both of the Union and of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

In Bechuanaland there are 302 European officers, of whom 196 are citizens of the Union of South Africa and 58 are citizens both of the Union and of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

Information about the citizenship of members of the Civil Service of Swaziland is immediately available only in respect of administrative officers. Of a total of 21 European administrative officers, four are citizens of the Union of South Africa and three are citizens both of the Union and of the United Kingdom and Colonies

The numbers of Africans in the Civil Services are as follows:

Basutoland … … … 1,380
Bechuanaland … … … 1,306
Swaziland … … … 1,303