§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether (1) he will state the number of children in Kenya who are attending State-aided schools, and how many of them are required to pay a fee;
(2) whether he will state, as to the most recent date for which the information is available, the number of children of school age in Kenya; and how many of them were in attendance at schools for which provision is made out of public funds?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe latest year for which figures of school attendance are available is 1937. In that year the numbers of children attending Government and aided schools (elementary, primary, and secondary) were as follow:
— Government Schools. Aided Schools. Total. European … 1,097 — 1,097 Indian … 3,701 3,591 7,292 Arab … 530 — 530 African … 4,393 44,251 48,644 Fees are normally payable in all cases, but as regards the payment of fees in the case of African schools I would invite attention to the reply given to a question by the hon. Member for Wentworth on the 21st June. I have no figures as to those who are not required to pay fees.
I have no figures to show the total number of children of school age, but I will ask the Governor whether he can furnish an estimate.
2272W
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the total amount of taxation raised from the native population of Kenya in the form of hut or poll tax, and the amount allocated from it for educational purposes?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe estimated revenue for 1939 from hut and poll tax in Kenya is £533,000. The estimated expenditure on African education, excluding the expenses of direction and inspection, is £85,054.
§ Mr. Sandysasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has studied the recent report of Dr. Pole-Evans on the problems of soil erosion and the regeneration of grasslands in Kenya; and whether any action will be taken along the lines recommended in the report?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI have seen the report to which my hon. Friend refers, and I am now awaiting the recommendations on it of the Government of Kenya.