HC Deb 27 January 1954 vol 522 cc1744-5
49. Mr. Lewis

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what steps he takes to ensure that coloured Royal Air Force personnel are not officially sent to hotels that operate the colour bar when needing accommodation; and what action he takes to ensure that no Royal Air Force personnel are officially sent to, or accommodated in, hotels that operate the colour bar.

Mr. Ward

None, Sir. Members of the Royal Air Force are not officially sent to stay at particular hotels. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that there is no colour bar in any club, canteen, or hostel run by an organisation officially recognised by the Air Ministry.

Mr. Lewis

I thank the Minister for that reply. Will he give an assurance that under no circumstances will he allow any of his officials or those in the Air Force to be accommodated at Government expense at the Green Park Hotel, which operates a colour bar?

Mr. Ward

I can only repeat that we do not send people to particular hotels.