HC Deb 10 February 1938 vol 331 c1290W
Mr. T. Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to state what percentage of the native inhabitants of the Crown Colonies were literate in 1917 and 1937, respectively?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Statistics regarding literacy in the Colonial Empire can be obtained only from the decennial census returns, and I find that, so far as most Colonies are concerned, the statistics given in past census reports do not supply the material that would enable me to give a comprehensive reply to the hon. Member's question. I propose to take up with Colonial Governments the question whether fuller information on this subject cannot be supplied at the next census.