HL Deb 14 June 1966 vol 275 cc2-4

2.58 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their intention to introduce legislation to strengthen the provisions in the Race Relations Act against racial incitement and to amend the Act in order to include provisions against discrimination in unemployment and housing.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)

My Lords, the Government are studying the effectiveness of the Act, which has been in operation for only a few months. If we find that it ought to be amended or extended we shall not hesitate to introduce the necessary measures, although it is right to warn your Lordships that there are considerable difficulties in dealing with these matters by Statute and there is no prospect of amending legislation this Session.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while welcoming that statement, and appreciating the new spirit in the Home Office on this issue, may I ask my noble friend whether that consideration includes the provocations which took place before the outrages in the Jewish synagogues, and whether the evidence which has been brought before the Race Relations Board regarding discrimination in employment and housing is also being considered?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, I can give an unqualified assurance on both those counts. On the first, however, both my right honourable friend the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions have considered all the incidents to which my noble friend referred, but came to the conclusion that there was not sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. On the second part of my noble friend's question, with regard to housing, we realise that this is one of the key and most important points in respect of integration. As my right honourable friend the Home Secretary has already said, this matter is receiving the most close and careful consideration.

LORD BROCKWAY

But, my Lords, does not the fact that the present law does not allow prosecution for this incitement against the Jewish race indicate that there is a need to amend the law?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, I do not accept that the present law does not allow prosecution. I merely said that the incidents of which we have so far received notice would not, in the opinion of my right honourable friend the Attorney General, have permitted successful prosecutions. I would add, for example, that one of the alleged offenders is not at present in the country; that has a bearing on it. But I assure my noble friend that this matter is receiving the most close and careful consideration, and I would ask him to accept that we are no less anxious about it than he is. And, remembering that it took my noble friend thirteen years of hardwork to put this measure on the Statute Book, I am sure he will agree that we are entitled to a few months to see how it works.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, are not the British people, by tradition and sentiment, among the most tolerant in this matter? Does it not contribute better to understanding for all the various peoples who live here not constantly to call attention to minor episodes, but to let the good sense and welcoming attitude of the British people work its way?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, I would agree that the British people are among the most tolerant in the world, but I could not agree with describing the burning of the Jewish synagogues for racial or religious reasons as a minor incident. I would only add that I think the position is that there is no one in your Lordships' House who does not share a hatred of racial incitement or racial discrimination. Our problem, however, is not hatred of it, but how to deal with it in a Statute.

LORD SALTOUN

My Lords, in considering future action will Her Majesty's Government perhaps remember that the most certain way of getting two dogs to fight is to hold them nose to nose and try to restrain each of them? The Race Relations Act may very well have a similar effect upon men, who are not unlike dogs.

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, the noble Lord, I am sure, is right; and not for the first time. But the position is that we are making progress in many fields. Integration is working particularly, for example, in employment. When we were discussing the Bill which is now the 1962 Act there were some 37,000 Commonwealth immigrants unemployed; now there are fewer than 7,000. It is movements like this which show the results of the patient work which is being done.