HC Deb 23 July 1959 vol 609 cc1514-5
59. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Government-aided schools have been built in Tanganyika in the last five years; in how many cases consultation took place with the local African populations about the sites; and what arrangements exist for undertaking such consultation as a normal procedure in the case of schools to be built in the future.

Mr. J. Amery

I am consulting the Governor and will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. MacPherson

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that leaders of African opinion ascribe to wrong siting of the schools the number of vacant places which the hon. Gentleman has frequently mentioned in this House? Will he make sure, whatever the outcome of the discussions with the Governor, that adequate consideration of siting will now take place?

Mr. Amery

I will certainly look into that point.

60. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how many children of primary school age there are in Tanganyika; how many of them attend bush schools; and what aid, financial or other, such schools receive from the Government.

Mr. J. Amery

The latest estimate available indicates that there are about 850,000 African children of primary school age in Tanganyika. I am consulting the Governor on the other parts of the Question and will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. MacPherson

In view of the fact that this represents such a very large proportion of the children of school age in Tanganyika, does not the hon. Gentleman feel that very direct and, indeed, very sizeable aid to these schools is desirable?

Mr. Amery

There is already a good deal of aid going through the C.D. & W. channels.