Mission Schools (Government Grants)

HC Deb 19 February 1959 vol 600 cc536-7

40. Mr. Wall

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the number of schools in Basutoland belonging to the Paris Evangelical Mission Society and the Roman Catholic Mission Societies, respectively, that are in receipt of Government educational grants.

Mr. Alport

Four hundred and twenty-seven and 305 respectively.

Mr. Wall

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction in the Territory over the alleged disparity of grant between the Mission Societies? Would he look into the matter to ensure that there is a grant to satisfy schools of both societies?

Mr. Alport

I will certainly go into the matter again but, as my hon. Friend knows, the present basis of grant is such as to ensure for the moment that those schools which were in existence at the time that the decision was made receive a grant. Schools which have recently been opened were opened by the mission concerned, knowing that grants were not available. At the same time, the Basutoland Administration is anxious to ensure that more money, when it is available, may be forthcoming for educational purposes.