Policies on race relations & immigration 1958-79

Question 1

Legislation

Answer 1

1962 Commonwealth Immigration Act - placed limits.
Whether would-be migrants had a job to go to.
If they possessed particular skills e.g. medicine.
If they were dependants of people already here.

Question 2

1968 Commonwealth Immigration Act

Answer 2

Restricted from the ‘New’ - 1500 per year.
Opinion polls showed 72% respondents in support.

Question 3

‘Rivers of Blood’ speech

Answer 3

‘White backlash’ - Enoch Powell April 1968.
Argued that to prevent a race war ‘coloured’ immigrants should be encouraged to return home.
Powell dismissed from his position.
Resonated among white people - 100,000 marchers.

Question 4

White backlash in the 1970s

Answer 4

Emergence of the National Front - extreme right-wing.
Attracted disaffected young people - opposed by many.

Question 5

Race Relations Acts 1965 & 1968

Answer 5

Outlawed racial discrimination in public places - the colour bar.
Outlawed incitement to racial hatred.
Set up a Race Relations Board - investigated allegations of racial discrimination.
Community Relations Commission - promoted cooperation between ethnic groups.

Question 6

Race Relations Act 1976

Answer 6

Outlawed indirect discrimination.
Created a new Commission for Racial Equality - policed the work against discrimination.