In relation to employment, individuals could bring complaints to an industrial tribunal. The CRE could offer assistance with cases where they ‘raise a question of principle’, were too complex to deal with unaided, or there was another ‘special consideration’.

The act applied to employment, training and education; provision of goods, facilities and services; and the disposal and management of premises. It recognised that discrimination could be direct, indirect or take the form of victimisation.

The act did not extend to Northern Ireland. Neither did it cover religious discrimination specifically. However, in Northern Ireland religious discrimination was covered under the Fair Employment Act. Thus, there were anomalies across the UK.

The first chair of the CRE was David Lane MP.

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