Castle Point Council was today urged to back Government plans to scrap a controversial ban on local authorities promoting homosexuality.

Labour councillor George Wilson has called on colleagues to throw their weight behind moves to ditch Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act.

The clause, which gained notoriety in the 1980s after it was introduced by the Thatcher Government, stopped libraries from stocking books promoting homosexuals and banned teachers portraying homosexuality as a ''pretended family relationship''.

In the Queen's Speech last November, the Government announced proposals to drop Section 28 as part of its modernisation agenda for local authorities.

At tonight's full council, Mr Wilson, member for Cedar Hall ward, will put forward a motion asking the council to help stamp out discrimination against gay people.

His motion urges: "That this council fully supports the Government's proposed repeal of section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act, allowing this authority to help eliminate discrimination against gay people, allow teachers to better deal with bullying and reduce incidents of suicide amongst young gay men."

The motion has been seconded by fellow Labour councillor Jenifer Howlett.

Councillor Charles Smith, also a Labour member for Cedar Hall, has decided to also put forward a motion to full council asking it to eliminate racism following the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.

Mr Smith's motion says: "That this council implores that the Government takes on board the findings of the Macpherson report into the murder of Stephen Lawrence and includes in the amendment of the 1976 Race Relations Act 'indirect discrimination by public authorities' helping to eliminate institutionalised racism."

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