§ 39. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what assistance his Department is at present providing for the High Commission Territories in Africa; and what discussions he is having with the Territories regarding changes in the pattern of assistance in the light of the increased pace of constitutional advance.
§ Mr. R. CarrAssistance by my Department to Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland is provided under three main heads. First, under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme we are meeting the extra costs of employing some 390 British members of their civil services, which are roughly £ 170,000 a year. Secondly, under Colonial Development and Walfare arrangements and the Commonwealth Education Scheme we are giving £ 325,000 towards the capital development programme of the new University of Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland and are helping with the emoluments of certain British members of the staff. Thirdly, under the Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plan we are providing the services of advisory experts, bringing trainees from the Territories to Britain, and conducting geodetic and geophysical surveys. We also provide subtantial help for their research programmes and are partly financing the services of 14 volunteers from this country.
In the context of constitutional progress, I am now receiving requests from these territories for help in adapting the machinery of government for new responsibilities and for the training of Africans to fill posts in the public service. Earlier this year two experts were sent by my Department to study training needs in two of the territories and a senior member of my Department has just returned from the territories where he has been discussing their public service problems and technical assistance needs. Further action will be considered in the light of his report.