HC Deb 09 February 1960 vol 617 cc228-9
44. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that African members of the Northern Rhodesian Civil Service, travelling abroad on official business, are sometimes compelled by the exigencies of the airline schedules to spend a night in Salisbury, and that, on these occasions, they have been refused admittance to the Jameson Hotel in Salisbury on the grounds that, although the hotel is nominally multi-racial, it is only allowed under the Land Apportionment Act of Southern Rhodesia to admit non-indigenous Africans; and what representations he has made regarding the provision of suitable accommodation for officials for whom he is responsible while in transit through Southern Rhodesia.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I am aware of only one recent case of an African civil servant being refused admission to the Jameson Hotel. No representations have been made as it is known that the hotel proprietors are applying for the necessary licence to accommodate indigenous Africans.

Mrs. Castle

Is it not an absurd system of multi-racialism which allows a hotel to give accommodation to an African only if he does not come from inside the so-called multi-racial federation? Is not the Colonial Secretary directly concerned, since by the nature of the air transport many of his officials in the two Protectorates are compelled often to be in transit through Salisbury? Will the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, tell the House what provision is available for African civil servants from Northern Rhodesia who have to spend a night on official business in Salisbury?

Mr. Macleod

If the hon. Lady studies my Answer, I think that she will find that the point is met, because a provision which is an important advance was added last year to the Land Apportionment Act. I will send the hon. Lady details. If the licence to which I have referred in my main Answer is granted, his sort of problem will not arise.

Mrs. Castle

Is the licence granted?