Pius XII College

HC Deb 24 March 1960 vol 620 cc640-2

2. Mr. Marquand

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations what request for help he has received from Pius XII College in Basutoland, following upon the communication, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, East, which the college has received from the University of South Africa.

Mr. Alport

No request for help has been received from Pius XII College.

Mr. Marquand

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that by general agreement this college has been doing splendid work, that it is the only institution of higher learning in the High Commission Territories, and that recently it has been warned by the University of South Africa that it can no longer enjoy special relationship with that university unless it conforms to the apartheid policy of the South African Government? In all these circumstances and in view of the excellent record of the college, would the hon. Gentleman now consider making a grant to it from colonial development and welfare funds?

Mr. Alport

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for what he says. The Senate of the University of South Africa has not yet met to discuss its future attitude to the Pius XII College, but I will certainly bear in mind, and ask the High Commissioner in the Union of South Africa to bear in mind, the suggestion which the right hon. Gentleman has made with regard to financial support for the college.

Mr. Marquand

Is the hon. Gentleman further aware that this college has stated that an annual grant of £50,000 would be sufficient to raise its standards within a very short time to the sort accepted by the University of London for special relationship? Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to accelerate consideration of this urgent matter?

Mr. Alport

We are most anxious that this college should be and should remain in a position to give a full degree of a university standard.

Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

If the hon. Gentleman finds that there is difficulty in obtaining special relationship with London University, will he press for some other development which will enable this college to continue to grant degrees which will be accepted and recognised in this community?

Mr. Alport

As the hon. Gentleman will have heard, I have already said that we are most anxious that it should continue to be in that position.