§ 7. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the main provisions of the Race Relations (Advisory and Conciliation) Bill recently passed by the Northern Rhodesian Legislative Council; what district committees have been set up to consider complaints of racial discrimination; and what are to be the powers and composition of the central board.
§ Mr. ProfumoI have sent the hon. Member a copy of the Ordinance and will place copies in the Library. Assent was given to it as recently as 7th January. It provides for the appointment of central and district committees to improve relations between people of different races in various ways. They have not yet been set up.
§ Mr. JohnsonWhile welcoming the fact that this means a big step forward in sensible thinking in this difficult Colony, particularly on the Copperbelt, may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he would agree that the Bill as now passed falls far short of what it was originally meant to be when it was first put on the stocks by the Government officials? Will he give the House an assurance that the voice of Africans will be heard on all these committees and, indeed, on the central board itself?
§ Mr. ProfumoIt is the Government's view that the work of the committees is likely to be more effective in the long run if it is based on the co-operation of the public rather than on compulsion.
§ Mr. JohnsonCan the hon. Gentleman give us an assurance about the composition of the committees, and that the Africans will be adequately represented on both the district committees and, indeed, on the central board itself?
§ Mr. ProfumoI will certainly have a look at that point.