HC Deb 20 December 1945 vol 417 cc1522-3
38. Earl Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police to oppose annual licence courts in the Metropolitan Police district from granting a licence to any hotel, restaurant or public house which refuses to serve Indian or African subjects of the Crown on the ground of their colour.

Mr. Ede

While I fully sympathise with the object which the Noble Lord has in mind, I do not think, on present information, that it would be appropriate for me to issue any general instructions of the kind which he proposes. But I am glad to have the opportunity of emphasising my strong condemnation of such conduct on the part of any licenced premises, and I am sure that it would be equally condemned by responsible public opinion throughout the country.

Mr. House

Is there not something more practical which the right hon. Gentleman can do to prevent such a deplorable practice?

Earl Winterton

In view of the fact that there are well-authenticated instances of prominent Indians who were once friendly to this country being made hostile to this country by this treatment, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter, especially in view of the fact that, if I am successful in catching the eye of the Chairman, I shall most certainly raise it on the Estimates, with, I think, very great support from Members in all parts of the House?

Mr. Ede

I do not think that the Noble Lord quite heard the exact wording of the answer.

Earl Winterton

Yes, I did.

Mr. Ede

I refrain from giving general instructions, but I am certainly going to take particular cases into my very careful consideration, with a view to deciding whether, in those particular instances, something ought not to be done.