HC Deb 25 January 1954 vol 522 cc1438-40
16. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he takes to ensure that overseas visitors, invited here as guests of Her Majesty's Government, are not officially accommodated in hotels that operate the colour bar.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Overseas visitors for whom the Foreign Office is responsible are accommodated in hotels at which it is known that they will be welcome, irrespective of race or colour.

Mr. Lewis

While welcoming that reply, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that I have sent evidence to the Home Secretary and the Colonial Secretary substantiating the point that the Green Park Hotel officially operates a colour bar; and will he make sure that in no circumstances no Government guests will be sent to that hotel, which operates such an appalling policy of banning coloured people from their establishment?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I can give no general assurance. [HON MEMBERS: "Why?"] I suggest that the hon. Member should put his point to the Home Secretary.

Sir H. Williams

Would my hon. Friend be good enough to send a copy of his answer to the National Union of Mineworkers, where Italian miners are concerned?

Mr. Lewis

I asked the Minister whether he would give an assurance that the policy outlined in the answer to my Question would be operated, particularly in regard to the Green Park Hotel, which has publicly said that it is its declared policy to operate the colour bar? Surely the hon. Gentleman can give an assurance that no Government guest will be sent to that hotel. That is all I am asking.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

If the hon. Gentleman will look at my reply, he will see that the Foreign Office has had no difficulty and does not anticipate having any.

Mr. G. Thomas

While the hon. Gentleman's reply might indicate that the Government do not send their visitors to hotels where they are not welcome, he is avoiding the question of the colour bar. Will he say clearly that the Government will not send any of their official visitors to any establishment that operates the colour bar?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

My right hon. Friend has made clear, I think, on many occasions, as have I and many others on this side of the House, that we disapprove of the colour bar but believe that it would be best dealt with by educating public opinion rather than by administrative or legal action.

Mr. S. Silverman

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that to many of us his answers miss the point inasmuch as he appears to be saying that he would not send any Government guest to an hotel where he would not be welcome and, therefore, would not send a coloured guest to the Green Park Hotel, whereas the assurance he has been asked for is that no guest of any race of any colour will be sent to any hotel where any colour bar is in force?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I am sorry, but I have nothing to add to the replies which I have given.

Mr. Shinwell

Would it not be a very effective method of educating public opinion on this issue to ban the Green Park Hotel because of its attitude towards representatives from the Colonies, for whom the Government have a certain responsibility?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

So far as I am aware that is not a matter for my Department.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Will the Under-Secretary consider asking the Government to reconsider this, and if my hon. Friend puts down a Question next week will he give the assurance for which he has been asked?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I can give no general assurance on this point.

Mr. Lewis

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment.