jul 1, 1961 - Commonwealth immigrants Bill

Description:

Despite the government's unwillingness to use legislation to control immigration, Butler passed the Commonwealth immigrant Act 1961 in 1962.

This created restrictions on immigration.

The Labour government opposed the act in 1962 but did not repel it in 1964 when they won the election.

The Bill required immigrants to possess a work permit or employment voucher in order to enter Britain.

Immigration peaked at over 100,000 people in 1961 and 1962.

This appealed to most people in Britain who held an ignorant and socially conservative view towards immigration. Many establishments had signs saying 'no coloured' right next to 'no irish'.