§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal how many judgments have been made by the European Commission of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights in cases involving private citizens and public institutions of the United Kingdom since May 1979; and what action the Government have taken in the light of these judgments.
§ Sir Ian GilmourSince May 1979 the Commission has adopted reports and sent them to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in accordance with articles 30 and 31 of the European Convention on Human Rights in 11 cases involving applications against the United Kingdom. Four of these cases have been referred to the European Court of Human Rights which has not yet given judgment in any of them. Of the remaining seven cases before the Committee of Ministers, two have been the subject of a friendly settlement in accordance with article 28 of the convention, in two cases the Committee found no breach by the United Kingdom, and the remaining three cases are pending before the Committee.
§ Mr. Staintonasked the Lord Privy Seal if, in order to protect the rights of the United Kingdom citizens and, in the light of the effect that signature would have on the United Kingdom's standing in international affairs, he will renew in January 1981, for a period of indefinite duration, the United Kingdom's commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights, including article 13 thereof.
49W
§ Sir Ian GilmourThe United Kingdom ratified the European Convention on Human Rights, including of course, article 13, in 1951. The issue of renewal in January 1981 relates to the United Kingdom's declarations of acceptance of the right of individual petition under article 25 and acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights under article 46 of the convention. This is under consideration and I hope that a decision will be announced soon.