HL Deb 07 November 1995 vol 566 c194WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to Baroness Blatch's Answer of 30 October 1995 (WA 146), and to Baroness Chalker of Wallasey's Answer of 30 October 1995 (WA 134), whether the fact that the duty (referred to in the proposed Civil Service Code, and in Questions of Procedure for Ministers) "to comply with the law, including international law and treaty obligations", as contained in those codes means that individuals within the United Kingdom may reasonably expect that Ministers and civil servants will discharge their public functions in accordance with the obligations undertaken by the United Kingdom by ratifying the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Lord Chesham

The duty to comply with the law to which the Civil Service Code and "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" refer is a duty owed by Ministers, civil servants and citizens alike. As regards international law and treaty obligations, I refer to the Answer given by my noble friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey to the noble Lord on 9 January 1995(WA1).