§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 7 December (WA 68) and Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 3 December (WA 57), whether in the period before they bring Section 3 of the Human Rights Act 1998 into force, they will instruct counsel acting in the proceedings on behalf of a Minister of the Crown or government department to draw attention to their view that the public are entitled to expect Ministers and civil servants to comply with the obligations imposed by the European Convention on Human Rights having regard to the United Kingdom's ratification of the convention, the guidance in Questions of Procedure for Ministers and the Civil Service Code. [HL255]
§ Lord Williams of MostynWe see no need to do so.