§ 11. Mr. Tapsellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what current steps are being taken to review the need for building up local civil services in Africa.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodA conference of senior officers from the African Territories will be held at the Colonial Office, under the chairmanship of the Permanent Under-Secretary of State, beginning on 1st March, to exchange information on the measures adopted in various Territories to build up the locally recruited element in their public services and to consider what further steps can be recommended to the Governments of the Territories to expedite this process, to which Her Majesty's Government attach very great importance.
§ Mr. TapsellI welcome that reply. May I ask my right hon. Friend whether overseas unofficial Ministers will be invited to attend this conference?
§ Mr. MacleodNo, this is a conference of officials, and elected Ministers will not attend. But naturally I shall study the 1112 recommendations of the conference, as will the Governor and the Ministers who have responsibility in this sphere.
§ Mr. CallaghanIs the Minister aware that we shall be very happy to give him our support in the arrangement of this conference and we hope that it will be successful?