§ Q2. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the world's great danger is racial conflict; and what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to improve world racial relationships.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to my speech in the foreign affairs debate on 17th June.
§ Mr. LewisIs the Prime Minister aware that since then there was an excellent programme on "Panorama" on 30th June in which the star performer said that the world's greatest danger is racial conflict? As the Prime Minister said that on that programme, will he now help to do something positive to assist my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) in getting his Bill through this House against the opposition of the back benches opposite?
§ The Prime MinisterIt would be more polite to answer that supplementary question when the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) is present.
§ Mr. LewisBut is the Prime Minister aware that the hon. Member for Eton and Slough is at this moment celebrating the independence of Nyasaland, which is now Malawi, and that that shows that he has done something positive? May we now ask the Prime Minister to do something positive about racial relationships?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman asked me if I was aware of this racial problem. As I was one of the first to call attention to it, I think I am.
Mr. H. WilsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we all very much welcomed his reference the other night to the fact that the Commonwealth is the greatest multiracial association in the world? Is he further aware that when Hugh Gaitskell said that in 1962, he was accused by the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor of living in the past?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman is always able to remember his own speeches to the date and the hour. Apparently he is now referring to a speech of which I should like notice before answering his question, but I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Member from Bromley (Mr. H. Macmillan) has never denied—how could he?—that the Commonwealth is a multiracial association.
§ Mr. W. HamiltonDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that it is a contribution to the improvement of world racial relationships to continue to supply arms to South Africa in defiance of United Nations resolutions?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, but it would be a contribution to the defence of India, Pakistan, Ceylon, the Aden Federation and Malaysia if we had the facilities of the Simonstown Agreement
§ Mr. SpeakerWe must get back to automatic telephone exchanges at Rutherglen. Question No. 34.