Race Relations Act 1965

Race Relations Act 1965
Dates
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Citation	1965 c 73
Royal Assent	8 December 1965
Other legislation
Amended by	Race Relations Act 1968
Repealed by	Race Relations Act 1976
Status: Repealed

The Race Relations Act 1965 was the first legislation in the United Kingdom to address racial discrimination.

The Act outlawed discrimination on the "grounds of colour, race, or ethnic or national origins" in public places.^[1]

It also prompted the creation of The Race Relations Board (in 1966), to consider complaints under the Act.^[1]

Reasons for the Act's introduction

The UK saw an influx of economic migrants after World War II, many from the Commonwealth countries. The Museum of London states that "casual ‘colour prejudice’ was part of daily life" for many.^[2] In 1958, London saw the Notting Hill riots,^[2] and in 1963 the Bristol Bus Boycott occurred.^[3]

Outline

The Act made it a civil offence (rather than a criminal offence) to refuse to serve a person, to serve someone with unreasonable delay, or to overcharge, on the grounds of colour, race, or ethnic or national origins.

The first conviction under the act came in October 1967, when a 17-year-old member of the National Socialist Party was found guilty of racial discrimination at Middlesex Area Sessions.^[1]

Limitations

The Act did not extend to Northern Ireland, and specifically excluded shops and private boarding houses.^[1] It was "a weak piece of legislation"^[4] and failed to end racial discrimination in the UK fully.^[4]

Amendment and repeal

The Act was strengthened with the Race Relations Act 1968, which extended the legislation's remit to cover employment and housing. It was repealed by the Race Relations Act 1976, which saw the creation of the Commission for Racial Equality.^[1]

Notes

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "On this day: 8 December 1965: New UK race law 'not tough enough'". BBC. 8 December 1965. Retrieved 10 January 2010. Check date values in: |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
↑ 2.0 2.1 "Race Relations Acts 1965-1976". The Museum of London. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
↑ Editorial (10 November 2005). "In Praise Of...The Race Relations Acts". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
↑ 4.0 4.1 "Discrimination and race relations policy". The National Archives. Retrieved 10 January 2010.

References

Hepple, B.A. (1966). "Race Relations Act 1965". Modern Law Review 29: 806. JSTOR 1093572.

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