HC Deb 19 February 1959 vol 600 cc535-6
39. Mr. Albu

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what grants have been made to the University College of Rhodesia from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds; and what grants it is proposed to make in the future.

The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)

The total to date is £1,475,000 No applications from the University College are under consideration at present.

Mr. Albu

When future applications for grant are under consideration, will the hon. Gentleman ask his noble Friend to draw the attention of the authorities of the college in Salisbury to the undesirability of refusing a post to an African scholar solely on the ground that he married a white woman, as happened recently?

Mr. Alport

When further applications are made, these applications will be considered in the light of the advice and recommendations which will be given by the Inter-University Council. That body will provide the advice upon which an application will be judged.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Whilst we all welcome very much the establishment of this university, which we have regarded as a great venture in inter-racial education in the heart of Central Africa, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman will comment on what my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Albu) said? Is it true that this man was refused the appointment on that ground?

Mr. Alport

Decisions on these matters are entirely for the university authorities, and it would be most improper for me to make a comment on them.

Mr. Griffiths

We have given £1 million, which is a large sum but not more than it deserves, for the purpose for which we thought the university was established, but if it engages in racial practices of this kind surely we are entitled to make a protest and to ask the hon. Gentleman to comment.

Mr. Alport

Whatever comment is made, I think it is that the money spent on this university is a fine investment in the future of the Federation.

Mr. Wall

Would not it have been wiser of the university authorities not to have made a Press statement on this matter?

Back to
Forward to