U.K. Tory Split On Race Issue

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31727, 10 July 1968, Page 13

U.K. Tory Split On Race Issue

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, July 9. A wide open Conservative split on racial policy became clear today, only hours before the House of Commons was due to approve tighter laws to protect _ Britain’s one million coloured immigrants.

Up to 50 of the 261 Conservatives are believed to be ready to defy their leaders’ instructions to abstain from voting tonight on the controversial Race Relations Bill.

The rebels include Mr Enoch Powell, whose “we must be mad” speech last April on coloured immigration caused a nation-wide controversy. Mr Powell has already announced on television that he will vote against the bill, which seeks to outlaw racial-

ism In jobs, housing, education and certain financial fields.

The latest revolt in the Conservative Party’s ranks came last night when eight leading Right-wingers tabled an amendment calling for the rejection of the measure.

But the amendment may not be called for debate. Another group of Conservative backbenchers had previously tabled a “wrecking” motion on which they hope to mount a straight vote against the bill. The rebels are angry with the' party leadership for changing its mind since officially opposing the measure when it was first debated in the Commons three months ago.

But Mr Quintin Hogg, the Conservative spokesman on home affairs, has claimed that this was justified because of improvements to the bill by a Parliamentary committee. He argued that it was in the interests of the party, and the next Conservative Government, not to oppose something which was likely to become law and would have to be put into effect