HC Deb 31 January 1967 vol 740 cc220-1
4. Mr. Winnick

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has now been made in getting a clause inserted in Government contracts that will prevent any discrimination on grounds of colour and race; and if he will make a statement.

52. Mr. Chapman

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress was made at the meeting of the National Joint Advisory Council on 25th January about a non-discrimination clause in Government contracts; and whether Her Majesty's Government now intends to introduce such a clause as regular practice and to associate the Race Relations Board with enforcement of it.

Mr. Callaghan

The best means of discouraging racial discrimination in employment were further discussed at the National Joint Advisory Council meeting on 25th January. The matter is now being considered further by the Government.

Mr. Winnick

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the T.U.C. and C.B.I. seem to have rejected such a clause? If so, is this not deplorable? Will the Government give a promise that, regardless of what the C.B.I. and the T.U.C. say, the Government will try and put such a clause into Government contracts?

Mr. Callaghan

My hon. Friend should ask my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour about the discussions he has conducted with the C.B.I. and the T.U.C. It is for the Government to make up their own mind about what their attitude should be on the question of Government contracts, and we shall do so.

Mr. Chapman

Will my right hon. Friend go a little further and say that the Government's view is that it would be a very good thing if we could agree on the writing-in of such a clause into Government contracts, because this involves a principle on which hon. Members on this side feel very strongly.

Mr. Callaghan

I hope that the whole House feels strongly on the issue of principle. I believe that we do. But this is a matter for consultation with those concerned as to the best method of enforcing the principle and that is what these rather long-drawn-out discussions are about. I hope that they can soon be brought to a conclusion.

Mr. Ronald Bell

Will the right hon. Gentleman pay far more attention to the principle of freedom than to the obvious bias of his hon. Friends?

Mr. Callaghan

I am not in favour of freedom which excludes people from sharing the rights of all citizens in this country purely on ground of colour.