§ 3.15 p.m.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their attention has been drawn to the representations made to our High Commissioner in Karachi about unfriendliness towards Pakistanis in this country on account of the smallpox epidemic in Karachi.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)Yes, my Lords, Her Majesty's Government fully endorse the High Commissioner's statement deploring the occasional instances of unfriendliness which are reported to have occurred towards Pakistanis in this country. So I am sure does every responsible person in Britain. I have no reason to believe that such incidents have been widespread, nor that any have been of a serious nature, in the sense that they have threatened substantial danger to life or property. But this, of course, does not in any way excuse them. I would only suggest that it would be unwise to believe all the stories that have been put about. The Pakistani community in Britain, which is of considerable size, is a respected and well-liked part of our population. It would be a deplorable thing if our friends in Pakistan were to draw the conclusion from these scattered and highly reprehensible incidents that Pakistanis were not warmly welcome here, or that the overwhelming majority of the people felt anything but friendliness towards them and sympathy in their recent affliction.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, while thanking the noble Duke for that forth-right Answer, which I hope will go some way to mitigating the injustice suffered by Pakistanis, may I ask him whether he realises that much of the trouble arose from an understandable fear and belief that the regulations were not being properly applied? Can he say, or give an assurance, that the regulations with regard to vaccination certi- 814 ficates are now being properly applied in Pakistan?
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, I should like to reassure the noble Lord that in Pakistan complete co-operation has been shown over this issue. Indeed, in another place on Thursday of last week the honourable lady, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, gratefully acknowledged this fact.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, is the noble Duke aware that the Eastern Hospital at Hackney set up emergency arrangements on January 16 for the reception of Pakistanis; that they have done a wonderful job, and that to-day the number of Pakistanis still in quarantine is only seven?
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, I am very glad to learn of that news from the noble Lord, and I should like to take this opportunity of acknowledging the work done by this hospital. I am quite sure that my right honourable friend and the honourable lady at the Ministry of Health are well aware of the splendid work that is being done there.