HC Deb 17 March 1948 vol 448 cc2097-8
71. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that intending passengers by Fyffe's line have to state on Form S.68 among the particulars required by his Department, whether their complexions are white or coloured; and if he will take immediate action to put an end to a practice which is offensive to many millions of British subjects.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. James Callaghan)

Form S.68 is not an official one and the information referred to is not required by any Government Department. I understand from the company that the information is required by them for the convenience of passengers in arranging accommodation, and that all amenities are available to every passenger without distinction. I understand that the company have received no complaints in connection with this question on Form S.68.

Mr. Driberg

Is my hon. Friend aware that as recently as last week the company were still misrepresenting this requirement as being in accordance with the instructions of the Board of Trade and possibly his Department as well? Will my hon. Friend, therefore, require them to desist from this misrepresentation and from this obnoxious practice?

Mr. Callaghan

I do not know that I would call it misrepresentation. I have a copy of the form here and it is certainly headed "Particulars required by the Board of Trade and His Majesty's Customs." That might refer to some or the whole of the questions. The company state that it refers to some of the questions.

Mr. Driberg

Does that not quite clearly imply that all the questions underneath have a kind of official implication?

Mr. Callaghan

I should have thought so, but I am not suggesting that it was intended as deliberate misrepresentation.

Mr. Driberg

Then tell them to stop it.

Mr. Blackburn

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is considerably less racial discrimination in the British Commonwealth and Empire than in the Soviet Union?

Mr. Driberg

Is my hon. Friend aware that, so far as I know—though it is nothing to do with me—there is no racial discrimination at all in the Soviet Union, but that there is far too much of it in the British Empire and in the dollar empire of the United States?

Mr. Callaghan

The only thing that I am concerned to say on this question is that the company state that there is no racial discrimination on their ships.