§ 15. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will give the number of African graduates in Basutoland; how many of these have found employment in the Civil Service; how many have left Basutoland for work elsewhere; and how many are still unemployed.
§ Mr. AlportThere are at present 55 African graduates in Basutoland and 15 are on post-graduate courses outside the territory. Twenty-three are employed in the Civil Service. A further thirty-one have left Basutoland for employment elsewhere. Three of these are articled attorneys in the Orange Free State, who are practising in Basutoland. Three graduates are still unemployed.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs not the Under-Secretary of State fully aware how keenly the Basuto leaders feel about this matter? Does he realise that their young educated men in the Administration also feel the position very keenly and sincerely, as they still see Europeans holding jobs in the Administration when young educated Africans can, perhaps, take their place?
§ Mr. AlportI am well aware of the point the hon. Gentleman has made, and I think I made it clear on a previous occasion that we are very anxious indeed to see an increasing number of Basutos in the administration of their own affairs, but these detailed matters must be left to the discretion of the Administration on the spot.