§ Q2. Mr. Whitakerasked the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have for legislation for strengthening human rights in Great Britain in Human Rights Year.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave on 6th February to a Question by the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow).—[Vol. 758, c. 227.]
§ Mr. WhitakerIs my right hon. Friend aware that the provisions of the Special Powers Act contravene more than half the United Nations provisions for human rights? Since Her Majesty's Government are responsible for representing Northern Ireland at the United Nations, what assurances has my right hon. Friend had that this Measure will be repealed?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend will be aware that this is a Statute of the Northern Ireland Parliament and that there is no Ministerial responsibility for such statutes at Westminster. The kind 1611 of questions raised, as I have made clear a number of times, are appropriate for discussion with the Northern Ireland Prime Minister in the talks which we have from time to time.
§ Mr. ThorpeBefore the Government's timetable is burdened with further legislation, would the hon. Gentleman tell us whether he believes that the human rights of United Kingdom citizens living in this country or elsewhere were strengthened or weakened by the passage of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act?
§ The Prime MinisterThat question was gone into fully in the two days in which the Act was debated in the House. I showed my answer by my vote and the right hon. Gentleman showed his answer by his vote.