HC Deb 09 July 1946 vol 425 cc62-3W
Sir G. Fox

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by his Department to bring technical and professional Government officials from East Africa into line with modern practice; and whether facilities are offered to Government officials to attend courses for this purpose in the United Kingdom, either during or on completion of their leave.

Mr. George Hall

Owing to the shortage of trained staff in the Colonial Service as a result of the very restricted recruitment during the war, it is not at present possible for Colonial Governments in East Africa and elsewhere to spare the services of many members of the professional and technical departments for extended periods of study leave. The hon. and gallant Member will, however, see from the report on Post-War Training for the Colonial Service which was published recently (Colonial No. 198 paragraph 6) that it is proposed to afford facilities for sabbatical or study leave to officers of both the administrative and professional branches of the service. This proposal will be implemented as soon as circumstances permit.