Qualifying Bodies

Part of Clause 12 – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 8 July 1976.

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Photo of Mr Nigel Lawson Mr Nigel Lawson , Blaby 12:00, 8 July 1976

I prefer to address my remarks to you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Race is a difficult and uncomfortable subject, and this is one of the reasons why we do not accept the Home Secretary's view that because a precedent has been set in the Sex Discrimination Act we must accept this willy-nilly. The Home Secretary speaks as if the precedent was an ancient and hallowed one, stretching back to Magna Carta, but it is of relatively recent origin. We were a bit slow in seeing the implications of the precedent, but we are getting around to it now. The courts and the people will see the problems involved later on.

3.15 a.m.

The difference between the two sides of the House is this. We question, first of all, whether legislation is the appropriate way to deal with a subject such as race relations or racial discrimination.

It is interesting that Labour Members are quick to say that it is wrong to legislate on industrial relations, which is an important subject, because we all want good industrial relations. We ask, therefore, whether legislation is appropriate on race relations and, secondly, even if it is, whether this legislation is right for that purpose. For the hon. Members for Penistone and for East Kilbride (Dr. Miller), that consideration does not enter into their thinking. For them the end justifies the means. They could not care two hoots about the wording of the Bill. They say only that it is against discrimination and that therefore they support it, regardless of the wording, the side effects or anything else. We are addressing ourselves to the Bill. The Home Secretary has sought to do so as well. But his hon. Friends have at no time done so. This is an infallible way of getting bad legislation on the statute book.

I come now to the amendment