19. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has noted the recommendation made by the 564 committee to investigate racial discrimination in shops and other businesses in Northern Rhodesia that a statutory race relations board should be set up with the task of ensuring that all possible steps are taken to implement the Government's declared policy of removing discrimination on the ground of race alone; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of State for Colonial Affairs (Mr. John Hare)My right hon. Friend has read the report, and so noted the recommendations of the Committee. The report has not yet been considered by the Northern Rhodesia Legislative Council and no decisions on the recommendations made in it can be taken until this has been done.
Mr. DugdaleDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree, having regard to the fact that the Bill promoted by my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Fenner Brockway) was given a first Reading unanimously by the House this week, that similar action to prevent racial discrimination might well be taken in Northern Rhodesia? Will he at least encourage the Government of Northern Rhodesia to take such action?
§ Mr. HareI think that the right hon. Gentleman will agree with me that as the Northern Rhodesian Government have set up the Committee themselves, it would be only courteous for us to allow them to consider the recommendations and for them to be considered in the Legislative Assembly before we comment.