HL Deb 24 September 2002 vol 638 cc250-1WA
Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the terms of reference of the Single Equality Commission Project can be extended to include any machinery required to enforce respect for human rights. [HL5741]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

My honourable friend the Minister of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced the start of the project to consider the feasibility of, and options for, a single equality body in Great Britain earlier this year. The terms of reference of the project explicitly state that it will consider the relationships with human rights issues. I refer my noble friend to the reply the Lord Privy Seal gave to the noble Baroness, Lady Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, on 14 May 2002. (WA 38)

The Joint Committee on Human Rights is currently considering the case for a human rights commission and clearly our thinking will be informed by its conclusions.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the terms of reference of the single equality commission project can be extended to include any machinery required to enforce respect for human rights. [HL5741]

The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

My honourable friend the Minister of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced the start of the project to consider the feasibility of, and options for, a single equality body in Great Britain earlier this year. The terms of reference of the project explicitly state that it will consider the relationships with human rights issues. I refer my noble friend to the reply the Lord Privy Seal gave to the noble Baroness, Lady Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, on 14 May 2002 (WA 38).

The Joint Committee on Human Rights is currently considering the case for a human rights commission and clearly our thinking will be informed by its conclusions.