HC Deb 21 May 1968 vol 765 cc286-7
Q4. Dr. David Kerr

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Minister to co-ordinate a programme of education against racialism.

The Prime Minister

The House already knows of the co-ordinating functions of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in the field of race relations. I have no further appointment in mind, Sir.

Dr. Kerr

That is a very disappointing reply. Does not my right hon. Friend agree that recent events demonstrated that even intellectuals, covering the whole range from dockers right down to ex-professors of Greek poetry, have been misinformed on this subject—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Supplementary questions must be brief.

Dr. Kerr

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that there is a case for a special appointment covering the whole range of education, both adult and that affecting schoolchildren in this matter?

The Prime Minister

I cannot think that any Ministerial appointment or any Government expenditure could hope to educate at least one of the persons referred to by my hon. Friend in this field. But my hon. Friend will be aware that in addition to the work done by Ministers and hon. Members on both sides of the House, in their speeches, there is also the National Committee for Commonwealth Immigrants, whose grant has recently been increased, which is doing very valuable work on a local basis in this matter of education.

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that, however many questions of this nature may be addressed to him by his fellow-travelling do-gooders, the British people simply do not—repeat not—want a multi-racial society?

The Prime Minister

If that question represents the considered view of the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I tremble to think who he goes fellow travelling with.

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

Not very good at all.

Mr. Tapsell

Can the Prime Minister tell us how much money is being transferred to the 57 local authorities facing particular immigrant problems which he promised to help in his recent speech on the subject?

The Prime Minister

If the hon. Gentleman will put a Question down to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary he can have whatever details are available with particular reference to the Section 11 expenditure under the 1956 Local Government Act. But, as he will know from what my right hon. Friend has said, we are surveying the problem of further help not only to the 57 towns where there is above a certain proportion of immigrants, but others where the problems of urban housing and schools are particularly urgent.