§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of Stale for Northern Ireland if he has received the eighth annual report of the standing advisory commission on human rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PriorThe report was published yesterday and copies have been laid before Parliament. It covers the period from 1 November 1981 to 31 October 1982.
The report makes recommendations and observations on the emergency legislation for the control of terrorism in Northern Ireland, data protection, disqualification for the Northern Ireland assembly and personation and the abuse of postal voting. Other matters included in the report are discussion of the commission's remit and future role, the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland, the Draft Homosexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1982, police complaints procedure, and the Taking of Hostages Act 1982.
I attach great importance to the protection of human rights in Northern Ireland and would like to express my appreciation of the valuable and thorough work carried out by the commission over the past year.