§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights has made in its 545W consideration of a possible Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesFollowing considerable preliminary study, the Commission published on 5th March a discussion paper designed to stimulate informed public debate in the Province and to bring forward further views and opinions for its own consideration. Copies of the paper have been placed in the Library. The discussion paper seeks to focus attention on some of the problems which have to be found in determining whether there is a need for a new measure guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms in Northern Ireland—or perhaps in the United Kingdom as a whole—and if so, what are the nature and scope of the rights and freedoms which need to be guaranteed, and what are the means by which such rights and freedoms should be guaranteed and enforced.