§ 81. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that African teachers in Northern Rhodesia are not permitted to take part in political activities; and to what extent this is the case in the Colonial Territories of Kenya, Tanganyika, and Nyasaland.
§ Mr. ProfumoMy right hon. Friend is investigating the position in all four Territories mentioned, and I will write to the hon. Member when I am able.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that it is a fact that these men are not allowed to take part in political life in Northern Rhodesia? If he accepts that fact, does he not think it is childish, they having been to places like Fort Hare and Makerere universities and universities in Britain, that such men 1226 in the public life of the Colony cannot take part in this way? Is it not possible for them to be candidates in elections in Kenya?
§ Mr. ProfumoAs my right hon. Friend is making an investigation, it would perhaps be premature for me to make an announcement before that investigation takes place.
§ 82. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many African graduates are now teaching in territorial schools in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, respectively; and whether any of these have yet been appointed as education officers.
§ Mr. ProfumoMy right hon. Friend is consulting the Governors and he will circulate this information in the OFFICIAL REPORT when he has their replies.
§ Mr. EdeWhen he circulates the information, will the hon. Gentleman circulate the information he has promised to send to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) with regard to the previous Question?
§ Mr. ProfumoIf that would be the wish of the House, I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend would be prepared to do so.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that in Nyasaland, for example, Africans are education officers, but they are not so in Northern Rhodesia? Does he not think it is somewhat childish in a society in which we speak of partnership that these men are not allowed to go on to advancement in their own profession?
§ Mr. ProfumoAs I said in my last Answer, it is not very much good consulting Governors on these matters and then making ad hoc statements. I should prefer not to be drawn on that, but my right hon. Friend is making investigations.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs it not known that these are factual statements and should be known to the Ministers concerned?
§ Mr. ProfumoThe facts that are known by my right hon. Friends and myself would be those we do not wish to investigate further, so I think the hon. Member may take it that we would wish to make further investigations of the facts which are not known.