§ 28. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which schools for Africans have been closed for political reasons in Northern Rhodesia; and when they will be reopened.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Iain Macleod)None, Sir. As I said in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) on 14th April, a number of schools have been closed because of indiscipline and insubordination. A commission of inquiry is at present examining the whole problem, and their recommendations are awaited.
§ Mr. StonehouseIs the Colonial Secretary aware that, with one exception, all the 366 students of the Hodgson Technical College at Lusaka have been expelled for expressing themselves as opposed to Federation? Will the Colonial Secretary convey to the Minister of Education in Northern Rhodesia that he disapproves strongly of this attempt to interfere with the freedom of expression of political opinions by students? Will the inquiry be held in public, and what guarantee is there that students appearing before it will not be subjected to further victimisation?
§ Mr. MacleodI will study the matter again in the light of the supplementary question, but my information differs from that of the hon. Gentleman both regarding the Hodgson Technical College and other institutions. The inquiry is already taking place. There is a judge as chairman and two African members. I am not sure whether it is being held in public, but I will let the hon. Member know. I am sure that no question of further action being taken against the students for their evidence will arise.