HC Deb 05 November 1959 vol 612 cc1193-4
19. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what report he has received from the Metropolitan Police with regard to housing exploitation of, and threats against, coloured people living in the Notting Hill area of London; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The Commissioner of Police has investigated allegations of intimidation and will continue to give attention to this matter. It would not be in the public interest for me to say more.

Mr. Fisher

I appreciate that, but can my right hon. Friend indicate what thought has been given not only to the elimination of housing exploitation, but also, perhaps more constructively, to the provision of alternative sources of housing for coloured people, such as, for instance, through special housing associations?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend came and discussed some of these matters with some of his hon. Friends the other day and I sent him an interim reply. I shall be glad to give him a further report on the progress we are trying to make in improving housing with the aid of local authorities in the area.

Mr. J. Eden

When considering this question, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that not all the exploitation and threats are necessarily in one direction?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Will the Home Secretary not only tell his hon. Friend, whose efforts in this behalf are widely supported, but also inform all of us about his conclusions on this matter?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. We might find an opportunity to be able to do so.