HC Deb 25 October 1950 vol 478 c2764
2. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is his policy with regard to the opening of hotels in Tanganyika territory equally to Africans and Europeans.

Mr. J. Griffiths

The Tanganyika Government naturally desires that all hotels in the territory should be open equally to all races. I fully share their hope that, where any racial discrimination at present exists in practice, it will soon disappear.

Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

Is it not a fact that, according to the laws of Tanganyika, it is forbidden to sell natives hard liquor? Does not the Minister's statement, therefore, render nugatory the recent objections of the right hon. Gentleman's colleague to attending a reception?

Mr. Griffiths

I think that my colleague was perfectly right and I fully support him.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Without expressing any opinion on the desirability of having differential arrangements in hotels about the sale of liquor, is it not a fact that there is such a differentiation, and that it is a factor in any policy in connection with entertainment of that kind?

Mr. David Renton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are some native people who prefer to be able to go to hotels where they will not find white people, and will some hotels be reserved for native people for that reason?

Mr. Griffiths

I repeat the answer I have given—that I share the view expressed by the Government that hotels in the territory should be open equally to all races.