HC Deb 20 June 1956 vol 554 c1418
22. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what extensions to Government offices at Kitwe and Mufulira in Northern Rhodesia have been asked for by the District Commissioners for these places; and whether he will expedite these schemes, bearing in mind the fact that racial discrimination is still practised in these places and in various Government post offices owing to the inadequacy of office accommodation.

Mr. Hare

The District Commissioner, Kitwe, has asked for seventeen offices and a room for use as a conference room or courtroom. The District Commissioner, Mufulira, has asked for four additional offices and a conference room and verandah. Efforts are being made to provide this additional accommodation and the Protectorate Government expect that it will be ready at Mufulira by February, 1957, and at Kitwe by January, 1958.

Mr. Johnson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an official Government inquiry in Northern Rhodesia condemned discrimination of all kinds in shops, post offices and Government buildings? Will he be good enough to ensure that all plans of Government buildings and post offices are in future vetted by him personally so that there shall be no segregation and no scope whatever for discrimination in the way of queues, hatches or any other means in Government buildings?

Mr. Hare

I am not aware of any racial discrimination in district offices in Northern Rhodesia. If the hon. Gentleman has any instances that he would care to bring to my attention, I will certainly look into them.