Race Relations Act 1968

25 The Community Relations Commission.

(1) There shall be constituted a Commission to be known as the Community Relations Commission consisting of a chairman and not more than eleven other members appointed by the Secretary of State.

(2) The provisions of Schedule 4 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the Commission.

(3) It shall be the duty of the Commission—

(a) to encourage the establishment of, and assist others to take steps to secure the establishment of, harmonious community relations and to co-ordinate on a national basis the measures adopted for that purpose by others ; and

(b) to advise the Secretary of State on any matter referred to the Commission by him and to make recommendations to him on any matter which the Commission consider should be brought to his attention.

(4) For the purpose of discharging their functions under subsection (3) (a) above the Commission may—

(a) establish services for giving advice on community relations to local authorities and other local organisations concerned therewith and for collecting information with respect to community relations ;

(b) provide courses of training in connection with community relations; and

(c) arrange or promote the holding of conferences on matters connected with community relations.

(5) Without prejudice to subsection (3) above, the Commission may—

(a) subject to subsection (6) below, give financial assistance to any local organisations appearing to the Commission to be concerned with community relations ;

(b) with the approval of the Secretary of State, appoint advisory committees for the purpose of such of their functions as the Commission think fit.

(6) The Commission shall not give any financial assistance under subsection (5)(a) above out of moneys provided by Parliament except with the approval of the Secretary of State and the consent of the Treasury.

(7) The Commission shall, at such times as the Secretary of State may direct, make annual reports to him with respect to the exercising of their functions; and the Secretary of State shall lay any such report before Parliament.