Mr. Colin Jacksonasked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) if he will extend the special provision made to assist Rhodesian African students to enter universities in the United Kingdom, to enable them in addition to qualify for A levels and O levels;
328W(2) what provision is made by his Department to assist Rhodesian Africans to obtain their A levels either in the United Kingdom or in other countries;
(3) if he will consider setting up a special fund specifically to assist Rhodesian Africans to qualify for A level examinations in the United Kingdom, in view of the lack of opportunities for this in Rhodesia itself; and if he will propose to the Commonwealth Secretariat the creation of a special Commonwealth fund for that purpose;
(4) if he will give details concerning the methods by which African students from Rhodesia are selected to study in Great Britain; and how the information is made available to Africans in Rhodesia concerning the facilities for study in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe British Government participates in the Special Commonwealth Programme for Assisting the Education of Rhodesian Africans living outside Rhodesia. This programme was announced by the Commonwealth Secretary-General in July, 1966, and full publicity was given by Commonwealth Governments. It is clear from the number of applications received that the programme is well known and used.
When applications are received by my Ministry either direct from students who are in Britain or in other countries, or through the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, they are examined by an Inter-Departmental Committee which decides upon the applicant's suitability.
In addition, a limited number of Commonwealth Scholarships tenable in Britain under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Studies and financed by the British Government are made available each year to Rhodesian Africans. Applications from candidates for these scholarships are considered solely on the basis of academic merit by the Selection Board of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. These scholarships are advertised each year and it is evident from the applications received from Rhodesian African students in Rhodesia and elsewhere that their existence is well known.
I am afraid I cannot provide educational facilities or funds for Rhodesian Africans falling outside the scope of the schemes mentioned above.