Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

HL Deb 24 January 2002 vol 630 c220WA

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average length of time taken during 2001 by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to respond to correspondence; and whether they consider the time taken to be acceptable. [HL2189]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

I am advised that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission aims to respond to all correspondence as quickly as is practicable, by acknowledgement initially if a substantive response requires more time. I understand that the commission's normal turn around for correspondence is within a week of receipt, although in some instances it can take longer. The Northern Ireland Office target for answering correspondence is ten working days. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's stated normal response time therefore appears to me to be within acceptable limits.