HC Deb 14 November 1957 vol 577 c1124
16. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what qualifications are required for appointment as resident magistrate in Tanganyika; how many resident magistrates there are at present; how many of these are Africans; and how many Africans are in process of acquiring the necessary qualifications.

Mr. Profumo

Candidates must normally be barristers or solicitors of three years standing. The establishment is 28 and there is one vacancy. No Africans have yet been appointed. At least two Africans from Tanganyika are at present reading law in this country.

Mr. MacPherson

In view of the fact that there are no Africans appointed and that the Trusteeship Council has made a recommendation in this matter, will the hon. Gentleman deal with this question of magistrates separately from the general question of the appointment to senior officials' posts as a group?

Mr. Profumo

I have tried to answer the Question on the Paper. If the right hon. Gentleman likes to put down a separate Question, I will try to deal with it and do my best to answer it. Africans are, on merit, appointed to these posts. Two Africans are already serving as district officers with magisterial powers.