§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, and, if so, when, they received preliminary advice from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission concerning a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. [HL1094]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission issued an advance copy of the consultation documentMaking a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 31 August this year. The Government expect to receive the commission's formal proposals around March 2002.
53WA
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they granted an additional £352,000 to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on top of its annual grant of £750,000. [HL1095]
§ Lord Williams of MostynAs with all their sponsored bodies, the Government always made it clear that they were prepared to consider any bid for additional resources from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission provided it was supported by a legitimate business case. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland received such a bid from the commission, and made a further £357,200 available to it to support its extensive consultation on the scope for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support the suggestion that the chapter on social, economic and environmental rights in the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's proposed Bill of Rights should apply in Great Britain. [HL1096]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe social, economic and environmental rights to which the noble Lord refers appear in a consultation document published by the commission on 4 September this year as part of the commission's consultation exercise to enable it to advise the Government on the scope for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The Government expect to receive formal recommendations from the commission next spring. Any such recommendations will be considered carefully by the Government in respect of the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, as outlined in the Good Friday agreement.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many (a) organisations, and (b) individuals made submissions to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission either (i) calling for, or (ii) opposing the inclusion of a right to elections by proportional representation in the proposed Bill of Rights. [HL1110]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.