§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Lord Privy Seal how many extensions of time or adjournments were requested by Her Majesty's Government in relation to the proceedings that were brought against the Government under the European Convention on Human Rights by Messrs Young, Webster and James; and what were the reasons for those requests being made.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsBetween the time these applications were first filed at the European Commission of Human Rights in 1976 and 1977 and the date the present Administration took office in May 1979, the last Administration requested and obtained from the Commission, on three seperate occasions, an extension of time for the submission of written pleadings. The last Administration also made one request for an adjournment of a hearing before the Commission because it was due to take place only one day after the General Election. The present Administration cannot answer for the last Administration's conduct of these cases.
221WSubsequently the European Court of Human Rights granted three extensions, totalling just over two months, for the submission of the Government's memorial to enable it to complete its researches and drafting. The present Administration have not asked for any other extensions of time or for any adjournment or postponements of hearings.
§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether any extensions of time or adjournments have been requested by Her Majesty's Government in relation to the claims that have been brought against the Government by, amongst others, Vosper Limited under the European Convention on Human Rights arising out of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977; how many requests have been made; and if he will specify the reasons for those requests being made.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsThe Government have made two requests to extend the time limit for submitting their observations on the admissibility and merits of the six applications raising issues connected with the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977. The first time limit expired at the end of October 1981 and the second at the end of January 1982. These six applications, and three more similar ones recently notified to the Government, raise exceedingly complicated and difficult issues which have to be co-ordinated in each of the cases.