HL Deb 18 June 1964 vol 258 cc1284-6
LORD ALPORT

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make on the conclusion of the discussions regarding the future financing of the University of Rhodesia.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)

My Lords, I have arranged for copies of the joint statement issued by the British and Southern Rhodesian Governments on June 4 to be made available in the Library. The substance of this statement is that the Southern Rhodesian Government have now agreed to assume responsibility for the maintenance and development of the College as an independent institution open to all races. The British Government have agreed to contribute £750,000 towards meeting the recurrent expenses of the College in the period up to 1967, a capital grant of £800,000 towards the cost of building the teaching hospital, and a further grant of some £300,000 towards general capital expenditure—a total of £1,850,000.

LORD ALPORT

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his Answer. May I ask whether, in view of the fact that the conclusion of these discussions reflects great credit on Her Majesty's Government and on the Government of Southern Rhodesia, and, in fact, has given a new lease of life to the University of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, he does not think that it would have been appropriate to make this statement in Parliament initially rather than through the Press? Secondly may I ask him whether every effort will be made by Her Majesty's Government to assist the University of Rhodesia and Nyasaland to recruit the staff which will now be required in order to continue the expansion of the University in the years immediately ahead?

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, I am much obliged for what my noble friend has said, but I would remind him that in a reply to a Written Question, this statement was made in another place on June 4. As regards assisting the University in the recruitment of staff, I must point out that the management of the University rests with its Council and the ultimate financial responsibility of the University rests with the Southern Rhodesian Government.

LORD TAYLOR

My Lords, the noble Marquess mentioned that the University would be open to all races. May we take it that the staff, students and patients of the hospital which we are helping to finance will also be of all races?

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, that is my understanding.