HC Deb 15 December 1960 vol 632 cc574-5
6. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now expand secondary educational facilities for Africans in Northern Rhodesia.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The Northern Rhodesia Government recognise this need and have provided in their current Development Plan for the doubling of existing facilities for Africans at all levels of secondary education. The United Kingdom helps by making sums voted under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act available in accordance with territorial development plans, by trying to find teachers from overseas, and with advice.

Mr. Swingler

While to many people the announcement of doubling might appear to be an ambitious plan, since the number getting secondary education hitherto has been only a fraction of 1 per cent., will the Secretary of State pay regard to the fact that an immense enlargement is still necessary if we are to begin to talk about equal opportunities for these people?

Mr. Macleod

I recognise the importance of this, but, as I said earlier, from this country we do not allocate specific sums. But I know that in Northern Rhodesia—and I have seen their development plans for the next few years—this has very high and, I think, probably the highest individual priority.