HL Deb 09 May 1963 vol 249 cc854-5

3.15 p.m.

LORD WALSTON

My 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, in view of the racial disturbances in Bristol, they will reconsider their decision and support financially the proposals for education on racial matters recently submitted to them under the auspices of the Royal Commonwealth Society.]

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)

My Lords, so far as I am aware, there have been no racial disturbances in Bristol. But the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education is about to tell the Institute of Racial Relations that, subject to certain conditions, the Minister will consider an application for financial assistance in a future financial year. But I cannot prejudge the Minister's decision.

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble and learned Viscount for the latter part of his Answer. While there may not have been actual physical disturbances in Bristol, I think he will agree that the occurrences in Bristol are such as would indicate that there is some further need for education in this matter. I hope, therefore, that he will use his own best endeavours to make sure that the application to which he has referred is in fact favourably received.

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, I think we all need further education in immense matters.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, is it not true—I think the noble Viscount will recognise it—that there is now an active campaign carried on, a great deal by the West Indians in Bristol and also by certain citizens who are interested in the West Indies and the Commonwealth, against what is a refusal, at least up to date, by the Bristol Motor Bus Company to employ coloured people upon the platforms? If so, cannot representations be made from the Government themselves? There is no difficulty over this matter in London. Why should there be in Bristol?

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, the Question really referred to the matter of a proposal from the Royal Commonwealth Society for education, and I have not come equipped to deal with the situation in Bristol apart from the part of my Answer which indicated that I was not prepared to accept the word "disturbances" in relation to what had happened.