HC Deb 20 May 1976 vol 911 cc723-4W
47. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has had from the Human Rights Division of the United Nations to provide information relating to any form of detention or imprisonment in relation to Resolution 4 (xxviii) of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Luard

My right hon. Friend has received a request from the Secretary- General of the United Nations to pro- vide information in response to the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers. Last year Her Majesty's Government, in a similar context, sent to the Secretary-General a comprehensive statement of the legal rights and other safeguards available in the United Kingdom to detained persons. My right hon. Friend is considering, in consultation with his colleagues, what additional material, if any, he should send in response to the present request.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on ratificaton by the United Kingdom of the International Covenants on Human Rights.

Mr. Luard

The United Kingdom ratified the Interntaional Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on 20th May and at the same time accepted Article 41 of the latter Covenant on State to State complaints.

By ratifying on that date, the United Kingdom has ensured that it will be entitled to nominate a candidate for election to the Committee on Human Rights to be established under the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

A number of reservations were made which will be published shortly. Many of these are required to meet special circumstances in individual dependent territories which have complete or substantial autonomy over their internal affairs. The Government have also availed themselves of the option under Article 4 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to take and continue measures derogating from certain obligations under the covenants to the extent required by the Northern Ireland situation. As regards the education Article of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Government see no incompatibility between the purpose and effect of this article and the Government's education policy.