26. Mr. D. J onesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes' premises situated on the Up Park Camp site, Jamaica, has, on instructions from the commanding officer locally, been partitioned into two sections, one for the use of British Forces and the other section for the use of coloured local forces; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this attempt at racial discrimination in the British Army located in Jamaica.
Mr. JonesWill the right hon. Gentleman also ask why the arrangements were changed in this case and whether there are any other indications of racial discrimination as between United Kingdom and Jamaican troops at this place?
§ Brigadier RaynerI commanded a mixed unit on the North-West Frontier for a few years. Half were Gurkhas and half were British all ranks. Although the British would not very much have liked to share their canteen with the Gurkhas, the Gurkhas would have been horrified if they had had to share their canteen with the British. There is some ignorance of the realitles in a Question of this kind.
§ Mr. DribergIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, on the whole, Jamaica, unlike some other Colonies, has been singularly and happily free from racial discrimination or colour bars or anything like that? When he has his full report, if he finds that the statements made in this Question are substantially true, will he give an undertaking to take immediate steps to put an end to the practice?