§ 28. Mr. Brockwayasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will introduce legislation to prevent discrimination against coloured persons when they seek to rent accommodation.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)I do not think that it would be practicable to achieve this by legislation.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that while this discrimination has occurred considerably, if not extensively, in the past, it has been greatly increased as a result of the Rent Act and under the new leases which are being issued in connection with that Act? In view of his responsibility for the Act, will he do something for the protection of these people?
§ Mr. BrookeI deplore all discrimination of colour or creed, but if the hon. Member thinks for a moment, he will realise that the kind of legislation which he suggests would be totally unenforceable.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CordeauxDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that it is far more necessary to introduce legislation to prevent the exploitation of our own people by coloured people who come to this country with the sole object of buying slum property and charging extortionate rents?
§ Mr. BrookeThat is a very different question.