HC Deb 21 March 1957 vol 567 cc520-2
2. Dr. King

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many African students from Basutoland, Swaziland and Bechuanaland respectively have received training in technical schools and are employed in the Civil Service or in skilled occupations in their respective territories.

Mr. Alport

In Basutoland 125 Africans who have had technical training, are employed in Government service. In Swaziland, six are so employed. No figures are yet available for the Bechuanaland Protectorate. It is not known how many of such persons in the three Territories are employed in skilled occupations outside Government service.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that the future of the Protectorates, as indeed of the whole of Africa, depends on the expansion of the numbers of technically skilled and responsible citizens? Having made a beginning, will the hon. Gentleman do everything he can to extend this development in the Protectorates for which he bears so heavy a responsibility?

Mr. Alport

I fully accept the hon. Gentleman's proposition, and I would say that we propose to establish a trade school as part of the plan for the development of education in the territory of Bechuanaland, which I hope will assist. The hon. Gentleman can be assured that we are as anxious as he is to develop this side of African progress.

3. Dr. King

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many students from Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland are studying at the universities in the Union of South Africa; and what provision is proposed for their university training when such universities are closed to them.

Mr. Alport

Thirteen African students from the High Commission Territories are now studying at universities in the Union of South Africa and it is understood that they can complete their courses.

After 1958 no new African students from the High Commission Territories will be admitted to universities in the Union of South Africa. University training will be available, as it is now, at the Pope Pius XII College, Basutoland, and at United Kingdom universities. It is hoped that some places may also be available at the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that educated opinion throughout the world condemns South African education policy of segregating black students and even excluding them from education? Will he bear in mind that he owes it as a responsibility both to the Protectorates and to social justice to see that no student in the Protectorate who is capable of profiting by university education is deprived of it?

Mr. Alport

The reason that vacancies at Fort Hare College and Durban Medical School will no longer be available is that all the vacancies are required for Union students from now onwards.

Mr. J. Griffiths

While joining in condemning the action which has resulted in this very sorry position, may I ask the Minister whether he will consult the Colonial Secretary to consider making available to these students from the Protectorates such additional moneys as will be required to enable them to become students in some of the other African colleges which have been helped by our funds and in which we do not practise discrimination?

Mr. Alport

The use of other African universities, for instance in Eastern Africa, is a matter which I think should be investigated, and I will certainly undertake to carry the right hon. Gentleman's views further.

Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that when these places in the Union universities are no longer available, the would-be students, for instance from Bechuanaland, who are capable of benefiting by university education, will not be in a worse position than they were before?

Mr. Alport

That is certainly our intention and hope.