COMMONS AMENDMENT (Hansard, 29 October 1998)

§ Lord Williams of Mostyn

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 4. In moving this Motion, perhaps I may speak also to Commons Amendments Nos. 5 to 7, 9, 17 to 21, 23, 32, 38 to 45 and 47 to 53. These amendments are entirely technical and relatively minor. Their purpose in the main is to ensure that the Human Rights Bill is consistent with the Government's devolution legislation; that is, the Government of Wales Act, the Scotland Bill and the Northern Ireland Bill.

The purpose of Amendment No. 4 is to enable the devolution legislation to work effectively. Amendments Nos. 5, 6, 7, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 38, 39, 40 and 41 enable evidence of Strasbourg judgments to be conveniently introduced. The rest of the amendments are entirely technical. They are concerned with the status of, for instance, certain types of Order in Council and relate to definitions of, for instance, Northern Ireland Ministers. Unless your Lordships particularly require an explanation of a specific amendment—I see vigorous shaking of heads in the negative and I hope I can take a hint—I commend the amendments to the House.