§ 40. Mr. Allaunasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that certain firms are instructing employment exchanges not to submit coloured workers for vacancies; that some exchanges are agreeing to this form of racial prejudice by inserting N.C. (no coloured) after the names of these firms on their lists; and if he will instruct exchanges not to send any more workers to employers making such a stipulation.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodMy employment exchanges are instructed in these cases to try and persuade the employer to withdraw such a requirement and to consider any suitable workers submitted to them by the exchange, which would in no circumstances itself discriminate in this way. If, however, the firm refuses to change its decision, it would not be consistent with my responsibility to refrain from sending other workers forward.
§ Mr. AllaunWhile appreciating the painstaking and often successful efforts of the employment exchanges and many firms to provide jobs for coloured workers, may I ask the Minister if he is aware that there are very big employers who operate a colour bar, whose names I could mention? Is it right, if we condemn what is taking place in South Africa and America, to condone the same thing on our own doorsteps, and would the Minister therefore consider withdrawing his Minstry's services from such offenders?
§ Mr. MacleodI do not condone such practices in any way, and I should be 1380 delighted to look into the cases which the hon. Gentleman mentions, if he will come and see me so that we may discuss them. The reply to the second part of his question is that I have a responsibility to workers to try to help them to obtain employment and to employers to try to help them to obtain workers. It would be quite inconsistent with those responsibilities if I refused to submit people for employment.