HL Deb 16 January 2002 vol 630 cc155-6WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the complaints procedure for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. [HL2085]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

This 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.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which individuals and organisations who believe that their human rights might have been infringed have received financial support from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission since 1999; and, in each case, how much they received. [HL2086]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

This 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.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 11 December (WA198–99), whether the reappointment of the existing members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission means that they consider that the commissioners performed satisfactorily during their current term. [HL2127]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The reappointments of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commissioners were made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice.

The role of the Chief Commissioner was set out in the original advertisement, which appeared in the press on 24 November 1998:

Providing strategic direction and leadership for the Commission;

Representing the Commission in public;

Developing and maintaining the Commission's external relationships at the highest level; and

Accounting for the expenditure of the Commission.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has considered whether the Chief Commissioner, Brice Dickson, has fulfilled this role and has concluded that he should be reappointed for a further term.

Performance appraisal of the other commission members is a matter for the Chief Commissioner. In considering whether or not they should be reappointed, the Government sought and received an assessment from the Chief Commissioner of whether or not their performance had been satisfactory. This too was in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. All the existing commissioners received a satisfactory assessment.