2.6 Wilson and Social Policy

Question 1

Who was Roy Jenkins, and what role did he play in influencing society?

Answer 1

Roy Jenkins was the Labour Home Secretary from December 1965. In this role, he had significant power to impact society through law changes.

Question 2

What prompted the need for changes in laws during the 1960s in Britain?

Answer 2

Despite societal shifts since the 1950s, certain laws needed updating. By the late 1960s, some taboos and prejudices were beginning to dissolve, prompting the need for legal adjustments.

Question 3

How were changes in society and changes in laws interconnected during this time?

Answer 3

The changes in law led by Roy Jenkins were groundbreaking and often controversial. Some argue that these legal changes reflected shifts in society, meaning the changes from the government were in line with the changes already happening among the people.

Question 4

What were some of the key areas addressed by Jenkins’ legislation?

Answer 4

Jenkins’ most impactful legislation focused on significant social issues like abortion, divorce, homosexuality, and capital punishment.

Question 5

What was the Labour government’s stance on liberalizing Britain through legislation?

Answer 5

Contrary to expectations, the Labour government’s manifesto didn’t aim to liberalize Britain. Leaders like Wilson and Brown held conservative views on moral issues, while many working-class Labour MPs were wary of change.

Question 6

How were decisions made regarding laws on moral questions during this time?

Answer 6

Laws related to moral questions typically underwent free votes, allowing individual MPs to vote according to their conscience. Additionally, the Labour Party preferred a rational approach using ‘expert witnesses’ to inform legal changes.

Question 7

What provision existed for MPs to propose legislation independently of the government?

Answer 7

Apart from government bills, backbench MPs could introduce legislation through private members’ bills, providing an avenue for non-governmental proposals to be discussed and potentially enacted.

Question 8

Why were private members’ bills successful during this period?

Answer 8

The success of private members’ bills was attributed to Jenkins’ sympathetic approach. He facilitated parliamentary time for discussions on these issues, allowing private members’ bills to be considered and debated.

Question 9

What was the status of abortion in the UK before 1967?

Answer 9

Abortion was illegal in the UK before 1967, except in cases strictly justified by medical reasons.

Question 10

What were the consequences of the illegal status of abortion before the Abortion Act?

Answer 10

Due to the illegality, many resorted to backstreet abortionists, resulting in a significant number of illegal abortions (around 100,000 to 200,000 annually), leading to numerous complications and deaths.

Question 11

What factors contributed to the push for abortion law reform?

Answer 11

Organizations like the Abortion Law Reform Association advocated for change since 1945, but the thalidomide disaster of 1959-62 intensified the case for reform. However, opposition from groups like the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child emerged, fearing broad abortion access.

Question 12

Who played a significant role in advocating for abortion law reform in Parliament?

Answer 12

Liberal MP David Steel was a key figure in the campaign for reform, supported by elements of both the Labour government and Conservative members.

Question 13

What did the Abortion Act of 1967 permit, and what criteria were necessary for a legal abortion?

Answer 13

The Act legalized abortion within 28 weeks of pregnancy, requiring the written consent of two doctors and justifying the termination based on the pregnant woman’s mental suffering, not merely her physical condition.

Question 14

How did the number of abortions change after the implementation of the Abortion Act?

Answer 14

Following the Act’s implementation, the number of abortions increased significantly from 4 per 100 in 1968 to 17.6 by 1975, contrary to David Steel’s hope for limited abortions through better contraception and education.

Question 15

What were the penalties for engaging in homosexual acts before the 1967 Sexual Offences Act?

Answer 15

Before 1967, engaging in homosexual acts could lead to imprisonment for up to 2 years.

Question 16

What was the political stance on decriminalizing homosexuality prior to the 1967 Act?

Answer 16

The Conservatives had initially rejected the Wolfenden recommendation for decriminalization. The Labour government of 1964 was also divided on this issue.

Question 17

Who was instrumental in passing the Sexual Offences Act of 1967?

Answer 17

Labour MP Leo Abse played a crucial role in passing the Act, supported by Roy Jenkins.

Question 18

What were the conditions under which homosexual acts were decriminalized by the 1967 Act?

Answer 18

The 1967 Sexual Offences Act decriminalized homosexual acts under specific conditions:

Both partners consented.
Both partners were over the age of 21.
The act occurred in private.

Question 19

Was the interpretation of ‘in private’ in the Act broad or strict?

Answer 19

The Act’s ‘in private’ clause was strictly interpreted, specifying that no one else should be in the same building, which led to continued prosecutions despite the Act’s implementation.

Question 20

What significant change did the Theatres Act of 1968 bring about?

Answer 20

The Theatres Act of 1968 effectively marked the end of theatre censorship.

Question 21

Who was responsible for censorship before the Theatres Act of 1968?

Answer 21

The Lord Chamberlain held the authority for censorship in theatres before this Act.

Question 22

What was the last instance of censorship by the Lord Chamberlain before the Act was passed?

Answer 22

The Lord Chamberlain’s final act of censorship occurred in 1967 when Edward Bond’s play ‘Early Morning’ was censored for depicting Queen Victoria as a lesbian.

Question 23

What event in 1955 contributed to the anti-hanging campaign in the UK?

Answer 23

The case of Ruth Ellis in 1955 gave a significant boost to the anti-hanging campaign.

Question 24

When did the Tories reduce the number of offences punishable by death, and what was the outcome?

Answer 24

In 1957, the Tories reduced the number of crimes punishable by death, aiming to limit the scope of capital punishment.

Question 25

When was the death penalty abolished in the UK, and what was the initial duration of the abolition?

Answer 25

In 1965, a trial abolition of the death penalty for five years was initiated, which later became permanent in 1969.

Question 26

What was required for divorce before the 1960s, and why was it challenging for many people?

Answer 26

Before the 1960s, divorce required evidence of one party committing adultery, which was hard to prove unless individuals were wealthy enough to afford private detectives and surveillance.

Question 27

What significant change did the Divorce Reform Act of 1969 bring?

Answer 27

The Act allowed for a ‘no-fault’ divorce on the grounds of ‘irretrievable breakdown’ of a marriage.

Question 28

What was the recommendation made by the Wooton Committee regarding drugs, and how was it received?

Answer 28

The Wooton Committee recommended the legalization of soft drugs like cannabis, but this suggestion was firmly rejected by Callaghan.

Question 29

What were the conditions under which a couple could get a divorce according to this Act?

Answer 29

Couples could get a divorce if they had lived apart for two years and both agreed to the divorce, or if they had lived separately for five years, and one partner wanted the divorce.

Question 30

What changes were noticed among various societal groups by 1970 concerning counterculture movements?

Answer 30

By 1970, parents, middle-class, working-class individuals, and a majority of the younger generation seemed to be turning against the unruly and aggressive behavior of student demonstrators.

Question 31

What factors contributed to the declining popularity of counterculture icons and movements in Britain?

Answer 31

Overseas figures like Timothy Leary, associated with drug culture, or revolutionary figures like Che Guevara, had little relevance to the British scene. Even popular musical groups like The Beatles began to lose popularity as their music shifted from simple love songs to more psychedelic themes.

Question 32

Who was instrumental in setting up the Ministry of Arts, and what was its impact on culture?

Answer 32

The Ministry of Arts was established under Jennie Lee, and its establishment led to a significant public boost for culture.

Question 33

What was outlined in the White Paper presented by Jennie Lee in February 1965, and how did it influence public debate on the arts?

Answer 33

Jennie Lee’s White Paper in 1965 outlined the agenda for discussions on the arts for years to come. It emphasized the creation of ‘high points of excellence’ throughout the country.

Question 34

How did the funding for the Arts Council change during this period, and what change occurred in its responsibilities?

Answer 34

The Arts Council received a substantial increase in funding, rising from just over 3 million in 1964 to over 9 million in 1971. Additionally, its responsibilities were transferred to the Department for Education and Science.

Question 35

Why was the Robbins Committee formed in 1961, and what did its report reveal about British education?

Answer 35

The Robbins Committee was established due to concerns about Britain’s position in science education. The committee’s report highlighted that Britain lagged behind France, Germany, and the US in terms of university placements.

Question 36

What was the critique put forward by Robbins regarding British students, and how did Labour respond to this?

Answer 36

Answer: Robbins argued that a disproportionate number of British students were directed towards arts rather than science and technology fields. In response, Labour expanded higher education through various measures:

Establishment of Polytechnics: These focused on teaching and applied education for work and science.
Conversion of Colleges of Advanced Technology: Nine of these became full-fledged universities.
Foundation of New Universities: By 1968, there were 30 polytechnics and 56 universities, offering innovative courses such as town planning.

Question 37

How did the expansion of polytechnics and universities impact societal access to higher education?

Answer 37

The expansion created opportunities for families that hadn’t previously experienced higher education. However, older universities still predominantly attracted students from middle-class backgrounds.

Question 38

What was the primary goal behind the establishment of The Open University (OU), and who was responsible for its creation?

Answer 38

The OU aimed to offer higher education opportunities to individuals who had never had the chance to attend university. Wilson entrusted Jennie Lee, the Minister of the Arts, with the task of realizing this vision.

Question 39

When and where did The Open University begin its operations, and what made its educational approach unique?

Answer 39

The OU inaugurated its headquarters in Milton Keynes in September 1969 and commenced its first courses in 1971. It distinguished itself by pioneering various forms of distance learning, utilizing radio and television broadcasts extensively.

Question 40

Who were the primary recipients of education from The Open University, and what impact did it have on their lives?

Answer 40

The majority of OU students were part-time learners, comprising many women, mature students, and individuals from working-class backgrounds. The OU significantly bolstered the confidence and self-esteem of those who had previously considered themselves educational underachievers.

Question 41

What was the significant milestone achieved by The Open University by 1980, and how did this compare to other prestigious institutions?

Answer 41

By 1980, the OU boasted an impressive student body of 70,000 and was conferring more degrees than both Oxford and Cambridge universities combined.

Question 42

What led to the rise of comprehensive schools, and what issues did they aim to address in the education system?

Answer 42

By the 1960s, opposition had grown against the tripartite system due to its inequality. Secondary modern students were often stigmatized as ‘failures’, while grammar schools were predominantly attended by the middle-class. The push for comprehensive schools emerged to tackle these inequalities.

Question 43

What were comprehensive schools, and how did they differ from the existing educational system?

Answer 43

Comprehensive schools were non-selective institutions open to all students, eliminating the selective nature of grammar schools and secondary moderns. They aimed to provide equal educational opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds.

Question 44

Who played a crucial role in promoting comprehensive schools, and how did the government support this initiative?

Answer 44

Tony Crosland, Wilson’s education minister, strongly advocated for comprehensive education. In 1965, Circular 10/65 was issued, encouraging Local Education Authorities (LEAs) to transition to the comprehensive system. After 1966, Crosland facilitated funding for new school constructions, incentivizing LEAs to convert.

Question 45

What was the impact of the transition to comprehensive schools, and were there any criticisms or challenges faced?

Answer 45

The transition to comprehensive education caused disruption, yet it aimed to provide ‘a grammar school education for all.’ However, some families opted for direct grant schools or independent schools, challenging the idea of a fully ‘comprehensive’ system.