HL Deb 12 April 1994 vol 553 c89WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty"s Government:

Whether, given the United Kingdom"s obligation under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (particularly Article 2), they will consult Parliament before they next report to the Human Rights Committee, under Article 40 of that covenant, on the legislative or other measures adopted, or proposed to be adopted, to give effect to the rights recognised in the covenant in the United Kingdom; and, if not, why not.

Earl Ferrers

Each periodic report to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, submitted in accordance with Article 40 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is a factual account of the measures which are taken by the Government to give effect to the rights recognised in the convenant. The Government do not, therefore, consult externally about the compilation of these factual reports.

Parliament, of course, plays a major role in the development of legislative and other measures which give effect to the United Kingdom"s obligations under the covenant.