European Commission of Human Rights (Right of Individual Petition)

HC Deb 03 December 1980 vol 995 c108W

17. Mr. Silvester

asked the Lord Privy Seal what consultations he has had concerning the desirability of renewing the acceptance of the United Kingdom Government of the right of individual petition to the European Commission of Human Rights.

Sir Ian Gilmour

As my hon. Friend will know from the reply given on 25 November by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead), the Government have decided to renew for a period of five years from January 1981 their acceptance of the right of individual petition to the European Commission of Human Bights and of the compulsory jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights.

In taking this decision, the Government took account of the numerous representations made to them.