§ 7. Mr. Wallasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what grants it is proposed to make to mission schools in Basutoland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlportThe provision in the Basutoland 1959–60 estimates for grants-in-aid to mission schools is £259,700. This represents an increase of £21,000 over the previous financial year, and covers increased expenditure of schools which are already in the receipt of grants-in-aid as well as the employment of teachers at new schools built with the help of Colonial Development and Welfare funds.
§ Mr. WallI thank my hon. Friend for that satisfactory reply. May I ask whether it is not the fact that missionary societies of all denominations are doing very fine educational work in Basutoland and that the more he finds it possible to increase the grants the more likely it is that primary education will be brought to the territory, and an advance made in secondary education?
§ Mr. AlportThe High Commissioner is considering what additional grants can be made. I agree with what my hon. Friend says about the substantial progress in education which has been made in Basutoland, which is almost entirely due to the wonderful work of the missionary societies operating there.