Dr Marcus Collins on 1971 survey of Bradford and Pudsey

Dr Marcus Collins, of Loughborough University, found a 1971 survey of 286 South Asian people in Bradford and 284 white British people in Pudsey.

The study, by National Opinion Polls Limited, found that 22 per cent of the white British people in Pudsey thought non-white people were inferior – something Dr Collins said makes for “uncomfortable reading”.

Only three per cent of South Asian people in Bradford had a white person living on their street, and only two per cent of white British people in Pudsey had a non-white person on theirs.

Some language used is a product of its time – findings suggest that “coloured” people lived in more crowded conditions.

More findings suggested that white people in Pudsey were “hopeful” for the future, while South Asians in Bradford were “particularly optimistic”.

Fewer South Asians owned a “car, radio, washing machine or television” and their housing conditions seemed “poor”.

Both groups disapproved of mixed marriages.

“I think it’s all very interesting,” Dr Collins said.

“South Asian people were also keener to integrate than white people, going against the stereotype.

“I’d be shocked if some of the attitudes were the same today. There isn’t a parallel study, but I think views have changed.”