HC Deb 26 January 1968 vol 757 cc191-2W
Mr. Brewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he received the letter dated October, 1964, from the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe asking for information regarding the implementation of the Human Rights Convention in Scots law; when he replied to this letter; and what was the reason for the delay.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

The Secretary-General's letter of 9th October, 1964 (which did not refer expressly to Scots Law) was received in the Foreign Office on 16th October, 1964. This request raised difficulty for us since various legal systems are involved and the Convention and its first protocol do not themselves have the force of law here. After full consultation an explanatory memorandum, accompanied by a detailed account of the position in England and Wales, was sent to the Secretary-General on 13th September, 1966.

The Secreary-General then expressed interest in receiving similar information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland. This information was supplied in June, 1967 (Northern Ireland) and December, 1967 (Scotland).