46. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Prime Minister whether he will ensure that no official hospitality is provided or accepted in any hotel in which there is a colour bar.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I said in reply to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) on 18th February last, I do not propose to issue new instructions on this subject.
Mr. DugdaleWill not the Prime Minister at least instruct Members of his own Government not to attend, in future, any functions in hotels at which there is a colour bar?
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the answers I have given.
§ Mr. G. ThomasIs the Prime Minister aware that his obvious reluctance to make a statement upon this question may well give rise to a wrong impression? Will he make the simple statement that the Government are opposed to a colour bar in hotels in this country?
§ The Prime MinisterI said that the laws and customs of this country were perfectly well known, and that I did not 569 propose to issue further instructions in regard to them.
Mr. DugdaleIs there really any difficulty in instructing Members of the Government or anybody else? Does it make for any legal complications?
§ The Prime MinisterI propose not to issue any new instructions.