§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has received the sixth annual report of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsThe report has been published today and copies have been laid before Parliament. It covers the period from 1 November 1979 to 31 October 1980.
The report makes recommendations and observations on the workings of emergency legislation in Northern Ireland. It also contains a substantial section on data protection, setting out the conclusions which the commission have reached, following a close examination of the subject. Other matters included in the report are a survey of developments following the commission's seminar on a Bill of Rights and some comments on the law relating to homosexuality.
I should like to take the opportunity to thank the commission for its efforts during the year covered by the report.