HC Deb 03 August 1976 vol 916 c655W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the intentions of the Governments of Jersey and Guernsey, respectively, about establishing the rights of individuals to petition the European Commission on Human Rights on matters concerning Jersey and Guernsey; what is the policy of the British Government over the right of individual petition for citizens of Jersey and Guernsey; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Summerskill

At the request of the authorities in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, successive declarations have been made by Her Majesty's Government, since 1967, accepting Article 25 of the European Convention on Human Rights—right of individual petition—in respect of the Bailiwick. The latest such request was for renewal of the declaration for a period of five years from January 1976.

The Jersey authorities have requested Her Majesty's Government to make a declaration accepting the Article in respect of Jersey for a period of five years from January 1976.

Her Majesty's Government have been pleased to give effect to these requests.