Domestic Policies: 1964-70

Question 1

What party were in power during the years 1964-70?

Answer 1

The Labour Party

Question 2

What did a free vote in 1965 lead to?

Answer 2

hanging being abolished on a trial period of 5 years

Question 3

What changes did Jenkins make to the justice system in 1967? (2)

Answer 3

1) Guards were no longer authorised to beat prisoners

2) Verdicts for juries were now required to be by “majority”, and not strictly by unanimity

Question 4

What year was hanging finally abolished permanently?

Answer 4

1969

Question 5

What did the 1969 Divorce Reform Act allow for?

Answer 5

“No fault divorce” following the “Irretrievable breakdown of a marriage”

Question 6

What were the restrictions placed on divorcing in regards to living conditions?

Answer 6

Couples could divorce after living apart for 2 years if both parties wanted a divorce, or after 5 if only one party wanted a divorce

Question 7

What major event helped sway public opinion on Abortion reform

Answer 7

The Thalidomide Disaster 1959-1962

Question 8

How many “Backstreet abortions” were carried out per year before 1967?

Answer 8

100,000 - 200,000

Question 9

How many women died following “Backstreet abortions” between 1958-60?

Answer 9

82

Question 10

I) When was the Society for the Unborn Child set up?

II) Why did they campaign against abortion reform?

Answer 10

I) 1966

II) They were worried it would lead to “Abortion on demand”. essentially the slippery slope argument

Question 11

I) Who led the campaign for abortion reform?

II) How did Jenkins ensure it was passed

Answer 11

I) David Steel

II) He ensured an all night sitting of Parliament

Question 12

What did the 1967 Abortion Act permit?

2

Answer 12

• Legal termination of a pregnancy up to 28 weeks with the consent of 2 doctors
• Women could request an abortion on the grounds of mental suffering, not just physical

Question 13

What did the number of abortions per 100 increase to following the 1967 Abortion Act?

Answer 13

From 4 per 100 live births to 17.6 per 100 live births

Question 14

What was the punishment for homosexual acts for men until the 1960’s

Answer 14

2 years imprisonment

Question 15

I) What did the 1967 Sexual Offences act do?

II) What were the conditions? (3)

Answer 15

I) decriminalised homosexual acts in the circumstance where
II) - Both partners consented
- Both partners were over 21
- It was in private

Question 16

Why was the 1967 Sexual Offences act not liberalising enough? (2)

Answer 16

1) Age of consent was still higher in homosexual relationships than in heterosexual ones
2) “In private” actually meant that no one else could be in the same building. This made homosexual acts borderline impossible to happen legally in flats - prosecutions still happened.

Question 17

What was school leaving age raised to?

Answer 17

16

Question 18

What change was made to the structure of British currency?

Answer 18

It went decimal, brining it in line with other European countries

Question 19

What did the 1963 Robbins Report lead to?

Answer 19

A change in the university system