HE government have promised
to legislate against racial discrimination and incitement. It is vital that such legislation should cover employment and _ housing where discrimination causes the worst suffering. It is equally important that anti-discrimination laws should be enforceable and not mere dead letters. So far, the people most affected by racial discrimination— coloured immigrants and other racial minorities in Britain—have not been able to make known their needs and their views on laws against discrimination to the Government or the public. CARD (Campaign Against Racial Discrimination) is convinced that legislation is one means of fighting racial discrimination, but it is clear from experience in other countries that the enforcement of such laws cannot be left to the ordinary courts. The object of the law should be to alter conduct, not to punish; and problems in employment and housing are too complex to be cured by criminal prosecutions, even if such prosecutions were ever successfully brought. CARD proposes, as a matter of urgency, that a statutory commission be created to investigate allegations of racial and religious discrimination in a wide field. It would try to end discrimination by private mediation, and, if necessary, could hold public hearings, and make appropriately flexible orders to stop discriminatory practices. It would also help to educate public opinion by publishing annual reports on facts about racial discrimination. At present there is no information and no remedy. The commission could provide both. The following resolutions were passed at a membership meeting of CARD on February 7th, 1965:—