HC Deb 21 December 1955 vol 547 c331W
74. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far the five-year development plan in Brunei has been implemented; and what consultations have taken place between the Governments of Sarawak and North Borneo and the Sultan in Council in Brunei in respect of the training of teachers and nurses and of other co-operation in educational and medical services.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Satisfactory progress has been made in carrying out the five-year development plan. Individual schemes estimated to cost $76½ million have been approved, on which a total of $22 million will have been spent by the end of 1955.

As regards the second part of the Question there is close and regular contact and co-operation on all common problems between the three Borneo Territories, both through the inter-territorial conference and through consultation between heads of departments. A scheme is now being examined for standardising the training, examinations and emoluments of medical staff in the three territories. As regards education, places for women students from Brunei are reserved at the Kent Teacher Training College in North Borneo and places for men students are reserved at the Batu Lintang Teacher Training College in Sarawak.