§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make 240W a statement on the work of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI have today laid before Parliament the first report of the Standing Advisory Commission, which covers a period up to June 1975. The commission is to be congratulated on the extensive and wide-ranging work which it has undertaken during this period.
In its report the Commission has made recommendations to me about the Prevention of Incitement to Hatred Act and the Flags and Emblems Act. I am now studying these recommendations. I look forward to receiving advice about the Electoral Law Act.
I welcome the serious consideration which the Commission has given to problems of fair employment and sex discrimination in Northern Ireland. Time did not permit the passage of the Fair Employment Bill during the last Session of Parliament, but I appreciate the Commission's concern that it should become law as soon as possible. Legislation is being prepared in the field of sex discrimination, similar to that already drafted for Great Britain.
The Commission has given considerable thought to the report of the Gardiner Committee, and in particular to the problem of detention. On detention, I would refer to the statement I made during the debate in this House on Tuesday 4th November.—[Vol. 899, c. 233–241.]
I have welcomed the Commission's decision to initiate a study of the desirability of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, and am glad to note that since the period of its report the Commission has made useful progress with this study. I look forward to its findings.
I note the Commission's support for an independent means of investigating complaints against the police. I am awaiting the report of the working party on this subject, but it is my intention to introduce an independent element into the procedure not less than that envisaged for England and Wales.