§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consider the representations of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights and be prepared to receive other views before deciding the precise terms of reference and composition of the independent review of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act; what w ill be the latest date for submissions and when they expect to announce the terms of reference.
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (The Earl of Gowrie)Various considerations will shape the precise terms of reference of this review. In particular, it will take full account of the security situation in Northern Ireland, the continued need for legislation to deal with terrorism and the conclusions of Lord Jellicoe's inquiry into the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976, so far as they affect Northern Ireland. The Government are, of course, aware of the views recently expressed by the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights and will naturally he willing to consider views on terms of reference from any other interested party. I expect that an announcement will be made about the constitution and precise terms of reference for the review in the early Autumn.