§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of the seminar organised by the Northern Ireland Advisory Commission on human rights to discuss a Bill of Rights; and what statutory authority it has for holding such meetings.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsFinal details of the cost of the Bill of Rights seminar held on 18/19 April are not yet available, but it is not expected that it will exceed £2,000.
The Standing Advisory Commission on human rights was established under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 to advise the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the effectiveness of the Province's laws in preventing, and providing redress against, religious or political discrimination. It is entirely appropriate that the Commission should promote discussion of whether a Bill of Rights might improve the legal safeguards available to citizens; and I supported it in so doing.