§ 12. Sir L. Plummerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which municipalities and townships of Northern Rhodesia the Urban African Housing Ordinance providing for demarcation of African housing areas is in operation.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Urban African Housing Ordinance is in operation in the municipalities of Broken Hill, Chingola, Kitwe, Livingstone, Luanshya, Lusaka, Mufulira, and Ndola and in the townships of Bancroft, Choma, Fort Jameson, Kalomo, Mazabuka, Monze and Pemba.
§ Sir L. PlummerThe Colonial Secretary will be aware that all sides of the House have noted with pleasure the action he has taken against the colour bar—his personal action showing displeasure of the colour bar. As this is an extension of the policy of apartheid into the British Commonwealth, will not the right hon. Gentleman now express his displeasure at suggestions that we should segregate Africans from Europeans in the form now being suggested?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am sorry to reply in what might seem ungenerous, but strictly accurate, terms. The purpose of the Ordinance is not to perpetuate the colour bar. The intention of the legislation is not to set aside special racial areas, but to impose on local authorities special obligations to the African population.
§ Sir L. PlummerIs not that the attitude of the South African Prime Minister on apartheid?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Minister cannot answer for the South African Parliament.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI would be grateful, Sir, if I could say that Africans are not restricted to living in African housing areas.