HL Deb 11 September 2003 vol 652 cc137-8WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there are areas of activity in which the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will not operate; and, if so, what those areas are. [HL4066]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's remit is set out in the Northern Ireland Act 1998. This sets the parameters for the commission's operation. Within that, it is for the commission to decide which activities it pursues.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there are any limitations to the scope of topics which the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission can advise on. [HL4201]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The commission's powers and remit are stated under Section 69 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Section 69(1) states, "The Commission shall keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness in Northern Ireland of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights".

Section 69(3) states, "The Commission shall advise the Secretary of State and the Executive Committee of the Assembly of legislative and other measures which ought to be taken to protect human rights—(a) as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a request for advice; and (b) on such other occasions as the Commission thinks appropriate".

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any legal advice which they have sought from the Attorney-General has been supplied to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; if so, on what subject; and whether they will place a copy in the Library of the House. [HL4202]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Government have not supplied to the commission any legal advice sought from the Attorney-General, nor are they required to.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether three members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission can veto any proposal put to the commission; when and why this rule was introduced; how many times it has been used, on what topics; and which members exercised the veto. [HL4248]

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.