§ 2. Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consideration he has given to the Political and Economic Planning report on racial discrimination, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if, while legislation is being considered, he will send a circular to local authorities advising them to end any discriminatory practices in the allocation of housing and to use housing need as the sole criterion.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Anthony Greenwood)The report is being studied as part of the Government's general review of the Race Relations Act. Decisions on the need for legislation or further advice will be taken when the review has been completed. The Government have made it 1298 clear that they expect local authorities to ensure that their policies for allocating tenancies do not discriminate against immigrants.
§ Sir G. SinclairWhile welcoming that reply, may I ask the Minister to recognise that this discrimination in local authority housing amounts to the public treatment of Commonwealth immigrants as second-class citizens, and will he take all steps possible to put an end to this?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman for what he has said. I hope he will accept that I detest racial discrimination as much as he does, and if there is solid evidence of racial discrimination on the part of local authorities we shall certainly take it into account in our general review of the need for legislation.
§ Mr. Russell KerrHas my right hon, Friend's attention been drawn to the remarks, reported in this morning's Press, by Sir William Carron on the subject of racial discrimination against immigrants, and will he publicly dissociate himself and the Government from those remarks?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI think that that goes rather wide of the Question, but I have said how much I personally deplore any sort of racial discrimination.