HC Deb 11 October 1939 vol 352 cc361-2W
Mr. Sorensen

asked the Home Secretary whether, to avoid unnecessary resentment by coloured citizens of the British Empire, he will take action to prevent the operation of colour prejudice in the air-raid precautions services and in the control of hotel and similar accommodation?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Any action which may make it difficult for British subjects, from whatever part of the Empire they may come, to co-operate in the national effort is in my view greatly to be deprecated—whether such action be by private individuals or by local authorities who are responsible for selecting persons for Civil Defence Services. In selecting persons for those services regard must be had to suitability, and for certain services it is an advantage to choose persons who are in no sense strangers; but there are various branches of Civil Defence in which the assistance of British subjects from overseas can well be utilised.