HC Deb 15 July 1953 vol 517 cc2049-50
22. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now advise the Government of Northern Rhodesia to abolish all separate entrances and separate counters for Europeans and Africans in post offices, in view of the opposition of Africans to this form of racial discrimination; and what arrangements for separate counters or entrances are in operation in the post office at Kitwe.

Mr. Lyttelton

The Government of Northern Rhodesia are already fully alive to this problem. There remain only seven out of 77 post offices and agencies with separate entrances and counters, and all are due for reconstruction. One of these is at Kitwe.

Mr. Rankin

That does not answer the question which I put to the right hon. Gentleman. I asked him if when that reconstruction comes about he will use his influence with the Government of Northern Rhodesia to see that this colour discrimination is stopped altogether.

Mr. Lyttelton

There is no need for me to intervene with the Government of Northern Rhodesia. If the hon. Member is under any misapprehension, may I say that I understand that when these seven remaining post offices are reconstructed there will be no separate entrances.

Mr. Gordon Walker

If there are only seven post offices awaiting reconstruction, which is very good news, would not it be wise to abolish the separate entries? One does not have to reconstruct the post offices to do that?

Mr. Lyttelton

Reconstruction will be necessary. It may interest hon. Members to know that when during recent troubles the post offices were thrown open to everybody, allowing people to use whichever entrance they liked, the Africans generally went in by the entrance which they always use in order to speak to people who knew their language.

Sir H. Williams

Will my right hon. Friend make representations to the Secretary of State for Scotland that discrimination in Scotland against the appointment of Welshmen to public posts should be terminated?

Mr. Rankin

There is no such discrimination. We even suffer the hon. Member.

Mr. Lyttelton

That is not my responsibility.