§ 31. Mr. Hugh Lawsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that naval recruits were urged to indulge in racial discrimination against negroes in a compulsory lecture by a British officer in a British naval establishment, of which he has been informed; and what steps he is taking to prevent incitement of this sort in future.
Mr. AlexanderI have received a report upon the only lecture which can be identified with that referred to by the hon. Member. I am satisfied that he has been misinformed as to its purport, and that it contained no incitement to racial discrimination against negroes. The last part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. LawsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the following words were used in that lecture:
In the States, negroes are separated from white men. The Americans regard a negro as a child, and not the equal of the white races. Please conform to that idea.733 Is he aware that that was taken down in shorthand in that lecture, and that it was an incitement to racial discrimination?
Mr. AlexanderI have told the hon. Member that that report is incorrect. So far from the lecture being given from the point of view of inciting racial discrimination, it was given to our troops in order to enable them to guard against any ill-disposed people who may be out to use the colour question as a means to stir up trouble with our Allies.
§ Mr. LawsonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.