§ 2.43 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF LUCANMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the financial contribution they are making towards the setting up of the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in Salisbury, they are satisfied that the proposed residential arrangements are consistent with the principle of a multi-racial university.]
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)Yes, my Lords. When Her Majesty's Government agreed to make a financial contribution to the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, it had already been announced that the College was to be open to students of all races. The College has since been constituted by Royal Charter. It is governed by a Council, which is autonomous. The Council is responsible 189 for the residential arrangements, and I am sure that your Lordships will agree that it is right to leave them to make the arrangements which are most likely to attract both Africans and Europeans to the University.
§ THE EARL OF LUCANMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply. May I ask him whether he recollects that the noble Earl, Lord Swinton, in 1953 said that the essential principle of a multiracial university is completely accepted? Does the noble Earl also remember that that statement was an important factor in gaining wide support for the principle of federation at the time it was being passed through?
THE EARL OF HOMEYes, my Lords, I recollect the statement of my noble friend Lord Swinton. I would remind the noble Earl that the Carr-Saunders Report on Higher Education for Africans in Central Africa considered that separate hostels would be in accordance with the multi-racial principle. I think that the University should concentrate on those conditions which will attract both Europeans and Africans to the University: that is the first thing to do. When that is established, I think that as the years go by many other developments will take place which we cannot as yet foresee.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMay I ask the noble Earl this question in order to elicit information on a point which I think still needs to be cleared up? Can the noble Earl tell us whether Asians will have access to both European and African hostels or only to one or the other?
§ LORD WINSTERMy Lords, may I ask whether any consideration has been given to the question of providing multiracial hostels for either sex in addition to the segregated hostels? Is it not likely that if that were done many European students might like to go into the multiracial hostels, and that might be the beginning of a movement which might make these segregated hostels ultimately unnecessary?
THE EARL OF HOMEI have no doubt that the Principal of the University 190 who, as the noble Lord knows, is a most enlightened and progressive man—he has very progressive ideas indeed—will see the noble Lord's question. I am not prepared here from Whitehall to interfere with people who really know their business. As I said in answer to the noble Earl, Lord Lucan, I am sure that we must begin by trying to attract both African and European students to the, University. Incidentally, I believe there is going to be a restaurant which will be available to both Africans and Europeans. I have no doubt that there will be many changes as a result of commonsense practice and that we shall see many developments in future years.