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Colonies and very few, if any, in others. West Africa and East Africa and some of the larger Colonies have fairly satisfactory. arrangements, while other Colonies seem to have practically nothing.
Mr. AMERY: There is a very definite recommendation from Lord Lovat's Committee* on the question of study leave. I do not know whether we can come to any sort of conclusion which would be a guide to the more backward Colonies in this respect and key them up to the standard of the more enterprising Colonies. There are two things suggested; one, that facilities should be given to officers to take a definite period of study leave after they have had some years' service, and, the second, that facilities should be given to enable officers to take an approved course without sacrifice of leave or pay, and with the assistance of books and so on.
Sir HERBERT STANLEY: The only suggestion I should like to make is that in any regulations drawn up the widest possible latitude should be left to the local Government, both in the selection of officers and in the selection of subjects for which special courses of study leave should be taken. I think the Government ought to have the widest possible latitude and ought not to be too much tied by regulations.
Mr. AMERY: How far are Governors at present tied by regulations in this matter?
Sir HERBERT STANLEY: Not very much. Of course, you may have to get the approval of the Treasury and that is a handicap, but I think there is an amount of detail suggested in the memorandum, some of which could perhaps be left out. I would not restrict study leave only to agricultural and medical officers, but would include the ordinary administrative officers.
Mr. ORMSBY GORE: Education officers?
Sir HERBERT STANLEY : Yes.
Mr. AMERY: I think this reference to agricultural officers is an extract from Lord Lovat's Agricultural Report. The principles of it would apply to every other officer in the service.
Sir HERBERT STANLEY: And they might be sent not only to a University, for instance, or to a special training college. I should like some of our administrative officers to have study leave even in the Colonial Office if it could be arranged. For instance, officers in charge of records could very suitably attend for a few weeks in the Record Department here to learn methods of
registration and things of that sort. It would be very advantageous, and they ought to be given an extension of leave or some special allowance while they were doing it.
Mr. AMERY: In other cases they might want to study administration in the neighbouring Colonies.
Sir HERBERT STANLEY: I think the latitude given should be the widest possible.
Mr. BAYNES: Might I suggest that the attention of all Colonial Governments should be drawn to the importance of trying to get their medical officers to take post-graduate courses in all those cases where it is not already done?-When they come home on leave, similar to the practice in force in the Navy. When a Naval medical officer comes home from a foreign station he is usually compelled to take a post-graduate course and I understand that the cost of the course is paid by the Government. I am sure it would be very greatly to the advantage of the West Indian Colonies if officers who have served there for many years were encouraged, and even in suitable cases compelled. to take post-graduate courses in order to keep up to date in their profession.
Mr. AMERY: Dr. Stanton, as regards the subject of study leave, I do not know if you can contribute any sug- gestions both from your experience in the Far East and from your experience since you have been here in the Office?
Cmd. 2825.
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