§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to prevent a repetition of the experience of an African member of the Northern Rhodesian Legislative Council who was not allowed to have his meals in the Rutland Hotel. Ndola, when he visited the Copperbelt recently as a member of a Select Committee to take evidence.
§ Mr. Profumo,pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 30th January, 1957: Vol. 563, c. 184–185], supplied the following further information:
The Government of Northern Rhodesia are doing everything possible to reduce the likelihood of such incidents occurring. Legislation cannot of itself eliminate the possibility of such incidents, but by passing the recent Race Relations (Advisory and Conciliation) Ordinance the Government have shown that they are determined to provide a framework within which educated public opinion can work. An important step will be the constitution of Racial Discrimination Committees under the Ordinance. The Government hope that these Committees, by giving objective consideration to complaints in any such cases, will help to improve the situation.