HC Deb 23 March 1979 vol 964 cc790-1W
Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, in accordance with the recommendation of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights, he will now amend or repeal the Incitement to Hatred Act (Northern Ireland) 1970.

Mr. Mason

I have carefully considered whether the Prevention of Incitement to Hatred Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 should be amended so as to strengthen the existing legal deterrent to incitement of hatred on religious or political grounds. In doing so, I have had particular regard to the working in Great Britain of the Race Relations Act 1976, on which the proposals of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights are modelled. While the effectiveness of the latter Act remains under scrutiny, it would be premature to amend the Northern Ireland legislation on incitement to hatred. But I will keep the matter under close review.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been prosecuted under the provisions of the Incitement to Hatred Act (Northern Ireland) 1970; how many have been convicted; how many have been acquitted; and what was the penalty imposed on those who were convicted.

Mr. Mason

Three persons have been prosecuted for alleged contraventions of section 1 of the Prevention of Incitement to Hatred Act (Northern Ireland) 1970. All were subsequently acquitted.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, in view of the ineffectiveness of the Incitement to Hatred Act (Northern Ireland) 1970, he will cease to cite it in Northern Ireland Office publications as being a measure for the protection of human rights.

Mr. Mason

A recently published pamphlet, giving an account of legislative action to protect human rights in Northern Ireland, mentioned the Incitement to Hatred Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 as one of a series of measures taken by successive Governments. I am aware that the Act has deficiencies, and I shall be considering in the light of experience with comparable legislation in Great Britain how these can be overcome. In the meantime, I will consider whether further public references to the Act should be qualified by a reference to those deficiences.