HL Deb 30 June 1993 vol 547 c31WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consider enabling the Council of Europe and/or the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) to have some responsibility for the work and the application of the recommendations of the following bodies in Northern Ireland: (a) the Independent Police Complaints Commission; (b) the Fair Employment Agency; (c) the Equal Opportunities Commission; (d) the Ombudsman; (e) the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (The Earl of Arran)

The Government are committed to upholding the standards laid down in international conventions and will consider seriously any recommendations made by statutory bodies for the better protection of human rights. However, the CSCE and Council of Europe have no direct remit in the internal governance of member states, although United Kingdom citizens have a right of individual petition to the European Commission and Court of Human Rights.