§ LORD BROCKWAYMy 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 it is their intention to introduce a Bill amending the Race Relations Act to prohibit the practice of a colour bar in clubs open to membership by the general public.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICH)My Lords, the Government are considering what changes should be made to the Race Relations Act to improve its effectiveness and in doing so will take account of the recent decision of the Appellate Committee of this House in the case of a working men's club in Preston.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Was it not the clear intention of Parliament when the Race Relations Bill was before the House that, while clubs with restricted membership should be exempt, in those with a general membership the colour bar should apply? Would it not be possible to introduce a short amending Bill to put this matter right, even if one has to wait until the next Session for a broader amending Bill?
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary indicated in a speech to the annual conference of the Race Relations Board on September 13 that he agreed with the Board's criticisms on the weaknesses in the 1968 Act, and that he 580 intended to introduce legislation to strengthen the Act. Given the fact that a number of consultations are required and that there is now this problem which my noble friend has identified, it would be better to deal with all the problems at the same time.
§ LORD PANNELLMy Lords, is the Minister aware that this matter brooks no delay? In the case referred to we are speaking about a brown Englishman—somebody who has spent all his life here. There is an increasing number of boys and girls in this country who are coloured, and who are as English as anybody in this House. One of the illogical features of colour is that in this case a lower court differed and the Court of Appeal differed, but their Lordships—because of some curious judgment—based upon five Peers, brought another decision to bear, to the great regret of the noble and learned Lord who pronounced the judgment. This is an absolutely ridiculous procedure.
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHMy Lords, my right honourable friend certainly takes a serious view of this matter, but there are a number of other questions in this field which are equally important and that is why he prefers to deal with all the problems at the same time.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, does my noble friend intend to introduce a blanket Bill to include all the problems at the same time, and will it include sex discrimination in clubs?
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHMy Lords, my noble friend will not have to wait long before she reads the Government's detailed provisions in the field of sex discrimination.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I am entirely sympathetic. In view of the fact that a sex discrimination Bill is to be introduced, and that it will have much broader terms than the present Race Relations Act, when a Bill amending that Act is introduced will it include the broader terms of the sex discrimination Bill?
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHMy Lords, it is impossible to answer a question in that degree of detail before the consultations, which I indicated are about to take place, have, in fact, taken place.