HL Deb 23 July 2001 vol 626 c170WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When appointments, and how many, are expected to be made to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. [HL239]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Further appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will be made as soon as possible, and by the end of the summer. The response to the advertisements was very high (over 500 applications were received) so the process has taken longer than expected. The number of appointments is still to be determined.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are committed to ensuring that future appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are on a basis of fairness and equality and that they represent the entire community in Northern Ireland. [HL161]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The Government are firmly committed to ensuring that public appointments are made fairly and on the basis of merit. Specifically in the case of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Secretary of State is required by Section 68(3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as far as practicable, to secure that the commissioners as a group, are representative of the whole community in Northern Ireland.