§ 17. Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to protect human rights and prevent discrimination in Northern Ireland within the framework of the Anglo-Irish agreement.
§ Mr. ScottUnder article 5(a) the Intergovernmental Conference can take an interest in measures to protect human rights and to prevent discrimination. However, it remains for the British Government to take decisions on these matters insofar as they relate to Northern Ireland. In doing so we take account of many different views, including any expressed by the Irish Government. The joint statements issued after each meeting of the Conference which note those issues which have been discussed there have been placed in the Library.