HC Deb 25 February 1969 vol 778 c1260
14. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what financial aid is being given by Her Majesty's Government to the higher education services of the Republic of Somalia.

Mr. Oram

There is very little higher education in Somalia at the present time, and we have decided that we can best help by offering awards for two years' training at "A" level in Britain, leading to degree or equivalent courses.

We have also recruited two lecturers in English for teacher training colleges in Somalia.

Mr. Johnson

Is my hon. Friend aware that the former Institute in Mogadishu is the nucleus of the future University of Somalia? Is it not important that we should make some gesture to help the English-speaking sector by perhaps sending out a lecturer? I will not ask that we endow a Chair of English at the University, but we should in this way help with English-speaking teachers.

Mr. Oram

One of our principal advisers has been to Somalia and studied the question of a possible university. We shall follow with interest developments in Somalia in higher education, and, if requested, we shall do our utmost to help as far as our resources allow.