Racial and Religious Hatred Bill 2005-2006

In June 2005, the House of Commons published the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill, extending the powers of the Public Order Act 1986. The Bill had implications for freedom of speech which were of grave concern to the arts sector and the NCA was given a mandate by its members to oppose any measures which might restrict artistic freedom.

The NCA lobbied MPs and Peers to amend the Bill at every stage of the Bill's progress and NCA views were repeatedly heard during the debate. On 21 January 2006 the Commons voted in favour of an amended Bill which incorporated the changes the NCA thought necessary, including a section specifically safeguarding freedom of speech.

For more information about the Bill follow the links below:

Summary of the progress of the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill 2005-2006

NCA Press Release,Lords amendment accepted by Commons, 1 February 2006

Letter from Joan Bakewell, NCA Chair, to the Guardian, 25 October 2005

Members update: notes on the Second Reading in the House of Lords, 12 October 2005

NCA briefing paper,Racial and Religious Hatred, 6 October 2005

The progress of the Bill can be followed by visiting the Parliamentary Information Management Services website

Racial and Religious Hatred Bill, House of Commons, 9 June 2005

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