§ 49. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, on Monday, 6th December, two unemployed British subjects of African descent, particulars of whom have been submitted to him, were refused employment as temporary postmen and informed by one of his officials that such employment was available to white applicants only; and if he will give an assurance that no racial or colour discrimination in the allocation of employment is permitted at any of his Department's offices.
§ Mr. IsaacsMy hon. Friend's allegations are unfounded. There is no racial or colour discrimination at local offices of my Department.
§ Mr. DribergWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that assurance, may I ask—since there is clearly a conflict of evidence between two witnesses on one side and one official on the other—if he is quite certain that the allegations are unfounded?
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, Sir. The evidence must not be coloured by the skin of the people concerned. In this case one of the men was offered a job on 5th November and had an appointment to go to the Post Office on 6th November but did not turn up. The other said he was not interested in a casual job. The Post Office are employing a number of coloured people.
§ Mr. DribergI am glad to hear it. Could my right hon. Friend say which of these men did not go for the job?
§ Mr. IsaacsHis name is James Amoonaquah.