HC Deb 31 July 1946 vol 426 cc178-9W
15. Mr. Wilkes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of students from East Africa at present studying in this country as compared with the number of West African students; and the reason for the discrepancy in numbers.

Mr. George Hall

The number of students of all races from East Africa, known to my Department, at present studying in this country is 65. There are over 400 students from West Africa. The difference in these numbers is explained by the fact that the population of West Africa is nearly double that of East Africa, and that secondary education had a much earlier start in West Africa than in East Africa. I am hoping that increasing numbers of students from East Africa will come to the United Kingdom in the future after they have passed through Makerere College.

17. Mr. Wilkes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provisions and aid the Government of Kenya provides for African higher secondary and primary education.

Mr. George Hall

Excluding the overhead charges of the Education Department, the approximate expenditure on African higher, secondary and primary education during 1945 was £3,600, £22,000 and £84,000 respectively. This provision is increased by 30 per cent. in the 1946 Estimates. In addition there will be a contribution of some thousands of pounds to Makerere College, which has not yet been fixed. These figures do not, of course, represent the total expenditure on African education, the main burden of which is carried by the various missions.

23 and 24. Mr. C. Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) how many United Kingdom scholarships and how many Colonial scholarships are being offered for study in this country in the next academic year to students in Uganda, Kenya and Tanganyika, respectively; and what steps have been taken by the local governments concerned to bring the facilities offered to the notice of possible applicants;

(2) how many scholarships for study in the United Kingdom have been offered by the Government of Kenya to Africans in the next academic year.

Mr. George Hall

Awards of United Kingdom scholarships for study in the United Kingdom for the next academic year have been made to one African student from Kenya for study at Oxford, and to two from Tanganyika far London University. A Kenya Government scholarship has been awarded to another African for study at the University College of the South West. I am not, however, yet in a position to furnish the full information desired or to give the final number of scholarships to be offered for the next academic year. Offers of scholarships are normally published in the Colonial Government "Gazettes" and given newspaper publicity. I propose to consult Colonial Governments about the procedure.

25. Mr. G. Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision is made for mass education in the 10-year development plan for Nigeria.

Mr. George Hall

The plan at present provides for the appointment of 12 mass education officers, the initiation of mass education projects in selected areas, and the extension of existing work in literature bureaux, broadcasting, and cinema. My hon. Friend will appreciate, however, that these proposals are necessarily quite provisional at present, since the plan as a whole is at present being considered here in consultation with a representative of the Nigerian Government.