§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information showing that the United South African Bar Society proposes to exclude natives from membership of the Bar; and, if so, whether he can take any action to safeguard the rights of the natives in this respect, especially in view of the fact that some of them are already practising as barristers in Cape Colony?
Mr. HARCOURTI have seen references in the Press to the proposed United South African Bar Society which attribute to some of the gentlemen promoting it a desire to exclude natives from practising at the Bar. The rights of members of the Bar are under the protection of the courts, with which also rests the power of admission or exclusion.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEMay I ask whether a matter of this kind requires legislation, and, if so, whether it comes within the reservation which requires the assent of the Crown?
Mr. HARCOURTI should think it is probable they would require legislation, and, if they do, any decision as to reservation must be taken after such legislation has been proposed and passed.
§ Mr. ESSEXWill the right hon. Gentleman see to it that in any consideration of the question of colour disability he does not fail to recognise that it is one of many and varying degrees?
Mr. HARCOURTI think I can hardly tell the hon. Member what steps I should take on an occasion which has not yet arisen.