§ Q1. Mr. Higginsasked the Prime Minister what decision has been reached by Her Majesty's Government regarding the recognition of the competence of the European Commission on Human Rights to receive petitions within the terms of Article 25 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; and if he will now declare, pursuant to Article 46 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, that he recognises as compulsory, ipso facto and without special agreement, the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights on all matters concerning the interpretation and application of the Convention.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)As I told the House on 22nd December, the Government are looking into the whole matter. This remains the position.
§ Mr. HigginsWhile thanking the Prime Minister for that Answer, may I ask whether he could give the House an indication when we are likely to hear of the results of these deliberations, particularly in view of the fact that last Thursday, in answer to a Question on human rights, he indicated that the Government were doing everything possible to set an example to other countries in this field?
§ The Prime MinisterIn all parts of the House we all feel strongly about this, but there are tremendously difficult problems in giving effect to some of the Articles. We want to get as quickly as possible to a position which all of us can defend in the world.