Race Relations (Prosecutions) (Hansard, 2 April 1984)

§ Mr. Lawrence
asked the Attorney-General if he will list the organisations to which those who have been convicted of offences under the Race Relations Act in each of the past four years were alleged by the prosecution to have belonged.

§ The Attorney-General
In prosecutions under section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936 inserted by section 70 of the Race Relations Act 1976 in the four years immediately preceding 26 March 1984 where the prosecution has been able, it has alleged that defendants have belonged to the following organisations: the National Front; the British Movement; the New National Front; the National Socialist party of the United Kingdom sometimes described as the National Socialist Irish Workers party.

§ Mr. Lawrence
asked the Attorney-General how many prosecutions under the Race Relations Act were initiated by the Director of Public Prosecutions in each of the past four years; and how many resulted in convictions.

§ The Attorney-General
In the four years up to 26 March 1984 the Director of Public Prosecutions with my consent has brought proceedings for incitement to racial hatred under section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936 inserted by section 70 of the Race Relations Act 1976 against 30 individuals.
In the period between 26 March 1980 and 31 December 1980 there were no proceedings under section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936 before the courts.
In the period from 1 January 1981 to 31 December 1981, eight individuals appeared before the courts charged under section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936 and all eight were convicted.
In the period from 1 January 1982 to 31 December 1982, 15 individuals appeared before the courts charged under section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936, 12 of whom were convicted.
In the period from 1 January 1983 to 31 December 1983, four individuals appeared before the courts charged under section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936, two of whom were convicted.
In the period from 1 January 1984 to 26 March 1984, three individuals have appeared before the courts charged under section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936, all of whom were acquitted.