§ 113. Mr. Meacherasked the Minister of State for Defence if, in view of the racial discrimination practised at Simonstown, he will instruct that no men from British ships using the base should go ashore, except on official business, unless coloured seamen are treated equally.
§ Mr. KirkNo. The only effect of such a ban would be to deprive the ship's company of a welcome spell ashore after a long period spent at sea. The Government's attitude on apartheid has been made clear on many occasions; the fact that we give Royal Navy personnel the option of going ashore on leave does not imply support for South Africa's internal policy.