§ 104. Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has set a limit on the number of coloured men who may be recruited into the Army.
§ Mr. HealeyA percentage limitation on coloured personnel in the Army was authorised in 1961 at a time when operational circumstances often required units to be stationed in overseas theatres to which it was not customary to send coloured troops. The percentage was increased in April, 1964. No coloured man has ever been turned away as a result. In the light of the changes in defence policy introduced since that date, with its increased emphasis on the Army's rô le in Europe, I have decided that there is now no need for this type of limitation. Should the need ever arise, it would, of course, be open to the Army, as to any other organisation, to secure or preserve a reasonable balance of persons of different racial groups, in accordance with the provisions of the Race Relations Act, 1968.