HC Deb 16 December 1953 vol 522 cc372-3
24. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the order of precedence in Bermuda is to be reviewed in order to include representatives of the coloured population among the early names, in view of the discussion in the Legislative Assembly on 8th December, 1953.

Mr. Lyttelton

No, Sir. I do not regard colour as a proper factor to be considered, one way or another, in determining precedence. I see no reason, therefore, to review the table.

Mr. Brockway

In view of the fact that at this discussion in the Legislative Assembly it was generally recognised that a blunder had been made in excluding coloured persons from the dinner given to Her Majesty the Queen, is it not desirable to revise this order of precedence so that this offence to the coloured people may not be repeated?

Mr. Lyttelton

Of course, if the hon. Gentleman persists in calling it an offence, it was because the table of precedence was followed. Whether that was wise or not is quite another question. There was a total of only 30 people, and I do not think that the list of precedence went below about No. 16.

Mr. Beswick

Is it usual in such a table of precedence to include people of other nationalities?

Mr. Lyttelton

It is an international practice for visits of commanders-in-chief of other nations on the station and so forth.