HC Deb 05 March 1959 vol 601 cc598-600
5. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the present political position in Bechuanaland; what constitutional developments are being considered; how many Africans now occupy Government administrative positions in this territory; and the increase, compared with five years ago, of students who have received and completed secondary education.

Mr. Alport

The Bechuanaland Protectorate is administered by a Resident Commissioner under the direction of the High Commissioner for Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland. The Resident Commissioner is assisted by three Advisory Councils—the African Advisory Council, the European Advisory Council and the Joint Advisory Council—which are associated with the Protectorate Government in the formulation of Government policy, the drafting of legislation and the consideration of administrative and economic problems. In the Reserves, there is a system of tribal administrations in charge of African Authorities. Tribal Councils to advise them are being established.

In regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 19th February.

The reply to the third part of the Question is that there are two Africans occupying administrative posts, and two holding senior educational appointments in the Protectorate Administration.

In regard to the last part of the Question, five years ago, no students in the Protectorate completed secondary education, because there were no facilities. There are now two schools in the Protectorate which offer full secondary education, and in 1958 two students completed their senior certificate, and 62 passed junior certificate.

Mr. Sorensen

Does not the Under-Secretary of State agree that the figures he has given of the number of Africans occupying Government administrative positions indicates that there is still a long way to go, and that there should be a speed-up to ensure that more Africans occupy such positions? Further, would not he agree that, at the present time, far more African students should be receiving education to fit them to occupy these posts?

Mr. Alport

In March of last year I said that it is the policy to employ more Africans in the administration of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, as suitably qualified and trained Africans become available. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will agree that the key to the whole of this problem is the extension of African education in the Protectorate. As I think my Answer demonstrates, we have made progress. That it is inevitably slower than many of us would wish is, I think, true, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are most anxious that this progress should be sustained and increased

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