HC Deb 20 June 1956 vol 554 cc1420-1
21. Mr. Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in respect of which of those universities in the Commonwealth towards the cost of which contributions have been made by Her Majesty's Government it has been made a condition of the grant that there shall be no separate living accommodation and dining halls for white and coloured students.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

None, Sir.

Mr. Dugdale

Is this because it has been found possible to have universities throughout the Colonies where men of all races live together in the same quarters? If this is so, and if there has been no trouble over this, will the right hon. Gentleman convey that information to his colleague, the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, when he is considering the question of a university for Salisbury?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The question of race has never been made a condition for a grant to any of the university institutions with which my Department is concerned because it has always been taken for granted that they would be open to people of all races. I would most earnestly draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to an article by Professor Walter Adams, published in The Times last month, on the bold experiment in race relations, dealing with the New Rhodesian University, and I would urge him not, by attempting to do overnight what may take a longer time, to prejudice a really valuable experiment.

Mr. Nairn

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Federal Government are not only anxious but determined to create a multi-racial university for the Federation? Does he not consider that ill-considered pressures and advice from the House might only make their task more difficult and might even make it almost impossible to bring the project to successful maturity?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I fully agree with my hon. Friend. That there should be no segregation of any kind in academic work, sport or social intercourse is the first great thing, and I think it is remarkable considering the views which prevailed in certain quarters such a short while ago.

Mr. Dugdale

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I saw the article by Dr. Adams, and that I wrote a reply to it, but The Times found that it had not sufficient space to print my answer? I replied particularly to his point about the Africans being polygamous and, therefore, having to have separate accommodation.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Perhaps I might find it easier if I received a letter.