HC Deb 19 February 1963 vol 672 cc35-6W
85. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to train Africans for the administrative services in Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland.

Mr. Fisher

In Basutoland, the Civil Service Training Committee composed of both official and non-officials, whose establishment was envisaged in the reply to a Question of 3rd August 1961, by the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall), was established in September, 1961, to supervise existing plans for service training and to prepare and implement a report on their expansion. The Committee is serviced by a training section established at the same time with C.D. and W. assistance. The Report referred to was submitted to the Basutoland Executive Council for inclusion in the new development programme. It entails the continuation of newly created Departmental Training Officer posts, expansion of technical administrative and professional training both in Basutoland and elsewhere and greatly increased provision of scholarships for school leavers. All expatriate officers are required to give "on the job training" to their Basotho colleagues.

In the Bechuanaland Protectorate localisation of the Administrative Service is dependent on two sources of appointment.

  1. (i) direct entry of University candidates and
  2. (ii) promotion from District Assistant grade.
There are four posts in the 1963–64 draft estimates but there is a prospect of increased establishment in future years. A comprehensive training project covering various Departments is being prepared for inclusion in the 1963–68 Development Plan.

In Swaziland post secondary-school training for government servants and potential government servants is being provided at a variety of institutions in the Protectorate and in other territories through scholarships and bursaries. Eight Swazi men are taking non-vocational degrees and are potential administrative officers, as is an officer taking a Diploma in Public and Social Administration in the United Kingdom. An expanded scholarship and training programme has been prepared for the 1963–68 development period, including the construction of a Central Training School and a new Police Training School.

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