§ 24. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Overseas Development what amount of technical assistance and aid he is proposing to give to the Republic of Somalia.
§ Mr. PrenticeDetails have not yet been worked out. These must await the out- 2120 come of discussion which recently took place in Somalia and also reports from my Chief Education Adviser and my Animal Health Adviser who are visiting Somalia in June.
§ Mr. JohnsonWill the Minister give an assurance this afternoon, whatever else he may do later, that he is at the moment taking the most urgent steps to see that we have a supply in the largest measure of teachers of the English language for the Somali people? Does he realise that that is the most important single step to be taken now that they have changed from Italian speaking, particularly in the south, to English speaking in all their schools and all their public institutions?
§ Mr. PrenticeWe have that point very much in mind. As I told my hon. Friend, my Chief Education Adviser is to visit Somalia next month.