HC Deb 06 May 1958 vol 587 cc1034-5
70. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Government of Kenya have yet considered proposals for the allocation of Government quarters on a non-racial basis; and what practical steps are contemplated to implement such proposals.

The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)

Detailed Government proposals which would abolish allocation of quarters on a racial basis were put before the Central Whitley Council in February. The staff side of the Council could not accept them as they stood, and are hoping to produce alternative proposals.

Mrs. Castle

But is the Minister aware that it is now over a year ago since the Governor, Sir Evelyn Baring, pointed out that there are many Africans advancing in the Civil Service, and that it would be wrong to expect them to accept housing on a lower level than that of Europeans in similar jobs, and is not there a tremendous delay in carrying out the important principle of multi-racialism?

Mr. Alport

The Government of Kenya have accepted the principle that quarters should be allotted on a nonracial basis. In the meantime, a number of senior African civil servants are being housed in European-type quarters on an ad hoc basis. I am sure that the hon. Member will agree that the best thing would be to leave this matter to voluntary agreement with the staff side, through the Whitley Council machinery.

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