HC Deb 08 July 1964 vol 698 cc380-1
3. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Aviation what educational requirements his Department makes for male and female air traffic control assistants, respectively.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation (Mr. Neil Marten)

I have sent the hon. and learned Member a copy of the relevant requirements. The rules are the same for both men and women.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister realise that the United Kingdom is rich in the various melodious ways of speaking the English language and that his prejudice against the beautiful, harmonious Scottish accent is unworthy of him and is an instance of race discrimination on his part? Will he change this and see that justice is done to Scottish applicants for posts such as those mentioned in the Question?

Mr. Marten

Whatever one might think of the merits of the melodies of the Scottish language, I assure the hon. and learned Member that there is no melodious discrimination and that an essential requirement is that a candidate should have O-level qualification in English—I repeat, in English.

Mr. Rankin

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that, save for one or two parts of the Highlands of Scotland, the Scottish language is English?

Sir Knox Cunningham

Would my hon. Friend think of asking the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) to substitute an Irish accent?

Mr. Speaker

The Minister cannot ask questions of Members.