§ 12. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are 184 being taken by his Department to enable African apprentices to be trained in industry for the higher technical and skilled jobs in Northern Rhodesia.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe provisions of the Apprenticeship Ordinance were extended to include Africans in 1958, and as a result of the Northern Rhodesia Government's expanding secondary and technical education programme increasing numbers of Africans are reaching the educational standards required for apprenticeship. The selection of apprentices is however a matter for employers This year both Rhodesia Railways and the Copper Mining Companies have announced plans for the advancement of Africans, who will henceforth receive the same training, and enjoy equal access to all jobs in those industries with Europeans.
§ Mr. SwinglerDoes the Colonial Secretary realise that that is not quite the point? It is good news that the employers and trade unions have agreed on the advancement of Africans in industry to the higher jobs, but is he aware that the educational facilities to enable them to train for those higher jobs do not exist? What action will his Department take, or will he persuade the Federal Government to take, to enable Africans to have the higher technical education necessary to enable them to take advantage of the facilities for advancement?
§ Mr. MacleodThe whole House will at least welcome what I said at the end of my remarks. We are all very glad to see this advance. I did not read the hon. Member's Question as asking whether these facilities were adequate. He is aware, for example, of the facilities at Hobson College, Lusaka, and the great number of trade schools which exist. The Northern Rhodesian Government, the Federal Government, and Her Majesty's Government, are always seeking ways in which we can expand these facilities.