§ 14. Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many primary school places were available for African children in Tanganyika this session; and how many applications there were for places.
§ Mr. ProfumoPrimary School places at present available for African children total 382,440. Nearly 130,000 places are available in Standard I this session, and of these nearly 21,000 are unfilled. There are no central records of the total number of applications for places.
§ Mr. MacPhersonCan the hon. Member give the House the reason why so many places remain unfilled? Is it because a money payment is required which parents are not in a position to make?
§ Mr. ProfumoThere is no indication of that whatsoever. I think the answer is that in some areas where there were formerly no schools, schools have been built large enough to allow for increase in the years to come, and therefore there are more places unfilled at present. It is due to wise planning. Some responsibility must rest on those parents who are still reluctant to send their children to school.