§ LORD BROCKWAYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will introduce legislation to amend the Race Relations Act 1338WA 1965 in accordance with the recommendations of the Race Relations Board: (1) enabling it to investigate cases without a complaint being lodged or suspicion of an individual unlawful act; (2) to require respondents and witnesses to disclose information; (3) to require respondents found guilty of discrimination to give written assurances and to satisfy the Board of remedial practice; (4) to repeal Section 8(10), relating to employment on ships, and Section 8(2–4), relating to racial balance; (5) to include nationality as an unlawful ground of discrimination; and (6) to give the Board discretion not to investigate complaints when in their view no useful purpose would be served.
VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSSThe Race Relations Board's Annual Report for 1971–72 was published as recently as June 21. The most significant proposals made in it that would involve legislation are those mentioned by the noble Lord in items (1) and (2) of his Question. These proposals imply a substantial departure from the concept of a complaints-based machinery, on which the present legislation is based, and raise issues that call for careful thought. The Government will give serious consideration to the Annual Report as a whole, but it is too early to reach a decision on matters of such substance.
House adjourned at twenty-six minutes past five o'clock.