§ 49. Mr. Mikardoasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Mid-Ocean Club in Bermuda, where he is to meet President Eisenhower, debars Jews from membership and refuses accommodation to them as transient guests; and whether, in order to indicate his disapproval of this form of discrimination, he will seek to have the venue of the conference changed.
§ The Prime MinisterI am assured that the Mid-Ocean Club does not debar Jews from membership.
§ Mr. MikardoIs the Prime Minister aware that the evidence which lies behind this Question has been most carefully examined and authenticated and includes an affidavit, and if I sent him copies of the evidence will he be good enough to look at it?
§ The Prime MinisterCertainly, Sir, but I did not give the answer to the Question without having before me the names of two gentlemen of Jewish extraction and Jewish faith who are members of the club.
§ Mr. MikardoIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the New York representative of the club has stated clearly in reply to an inquiry that the club will not accept Jewish people and that I have an affidavit to this effect? Will he look into the matter further?
§ The Prime MinisterMy information is to the contrary. I will gladly accept any additional contribution to the facts at issue.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanUnless the right hon. Gentleman is completely satisfied that my hon. Friend is wrong, will he at least take steps to avoid any embarrassing incidents by making sure that the noble Lord the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his Government does not form part of the delegation?
§ The Prime MinisterReally, I do not see the point of that supplementary question. We have happily got well above senseless and malignant anti-Semitism in this country. Why make such a point?