Black South Africans

Oral Answers to Questions — Overseas Development – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 11 January 1988.

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Photo of Mr Ivor Stanbrook Mr Ivor Stanbrook , Orpington 12:00, 11 January 1988

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the training being provided under the aid programme for black South Africans.

Photo of Mr Chris Patten Mr Chris Patten , Bath

The Overseas Development Administration is providing 330 study places for black South Africans in Britain and South Africa at a cost of £2·1 million in the present financial year. We expect to provide 490 places in the next financial year. We believe this assistance will make a positive contribution to peaceful change and development in South Africa.

Photo of Mr Ivor Stanbrook Mr Ivor Stanbrook , Orpington

Sooner or later, many suitably qualified and experienced Africans will be required to man the senior posts in the economy and government of South Africa. What discussions have been held with the frontline states and other states in Africa, such as Nigeria, about providing appropriate training for Africans from South Africa for this eventuality?

Photo of Mr Chris Patten Mr Chris Patten , Bath

My hon. Friend is entirely right. That is one reason why we have increased our expenditure on aid for training and education of black South Africans from just over £500,000 in 1984–85 to almost £3 million in the current financial year. I hope to be able to discuss the issue raised by my hon. Friend when I attend the meeting of the Southern African development co-ordination conference in Arusha later this month.