§ Rev. Ian PaisleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the known(a) religious and (b) political affiliations of the Commissioners recently appointed to the new body on human rights for Northern Ireland. [75291]
§ Mr. Paul Murphy[holding answer 8 March 1999]: The Secretary of State announced on 18 January and 1 March appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. There are 10 Commissioners including the Chief Commissioner. The religious background of candidates is established for monitoring purposes only. It is not the Government's policy to release the religious affiliation of each member, but we are satisfied that the Commissioners, as a group, are representative of the community in Northern Ireland. Candidates are asked to declare political activity over the last 10 years; only one of those appointed had declared any political affiliation, which was to the SDLP and the Women's Coalition.
§ Rev. Ian PaisleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for appointment to the Human Rights Commission were received; on what dates the posts were advertised; and in what journals. [75279]
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§ Mr. Paul Murphy[holding answer 8 March 1999]: There were 28 applications for Chief Commissioner and 154 for Commissioners. The Chief Commissioner post was advertised as follows:
Date The Guardian 5, 6 & 9 November The Guardian Website 25 November Belfast Telegraph 24 November & 1 December Newsletter 26 November & 3 December Irish News 26 November & 3 December NIO Website 5 November onwards The Commissioner posts were advertised as follows:
Date The Guardian 2 & 3 December Belfast Telegraph 1 December Irish News 3 December Newsletter 3 December NIO Website 1 December onwards