HC Deb 22 February 1962 vol 654 cc617-8
13. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report of the inquiry into certain disturbances affecting schools and colleges in Aden will be completed and published; whether a committee of managers or a board of governors is appointed for all educational institutions in Aden, and on what basis; and what has been done to establish parent-teacher organisations in primary and secondary schools.

Mr. Maudling

The report is now being published and I will place a copy in the Library of the House. The answer to the second part is: not for Government schools. Parents' committees exist for Government boys' primary and intermediate schools.

Mr. Sorensen

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him whether he does not agree that it is highly desirable that indigenous Adenese should themselves be involved in responsibility for schools to which their children are going, and that this should be done not only by securing the maximum number of indigenous Adenese on various governing bodies and school committees but also by encouraging the formation of these teacher-parent associations?

Mr. Maudling

I would rather study the report—I have not as yet had a chance to do so—before committing myself on the policies involved. I am very interested in what the hon. Gentleman has suggested.

Mr. Brockway

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any further information about these disturbances? Is he aware that, following the strike of the girls at a girls' college in Aden, messages have been received from the Aden T.U.C. saying that there have been clashes with the police and that tanks have been brought into the streets? What are the facts about this situation?

Mr. Maudling

I think that those statements are probably a little exaggerated. I doubt if tanks have been needed to suppress rebelling students. In particular, the story that the director of education was beaten up and his car was burnt is quite inaccurate. I do not think that it is for me to deny rumours of one kind or another. As I have said, I will place in the Library a copy of the report as soon as possible.

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