HL Deb 03 March 1994 vol 552 c83WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the legal authority for paying out of public funds costs that result from the United Kingdom's ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights and the United Kingdom's acceptance of the right of individual petition—

  1. (a) to satisfy judgments of the European Court of Human Rights awarding compensation and legal costs against the United Kingdom;
  2. (b) to pay the costs of friendly settlements made under the auspices of the European Commission of Human Rights; and
  3. (c) to pay to the Council of Europe a contribution to the costs of the European Commission and Court of Human Rights, and to the costs of legal aid granted to applicants to enable them to pursue cases against the United Kingdom under the European Convention.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The United Kingdom is legally bound to meet these costs as a consequence of our ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights and our obligations under it, including those of complying with judgments of the Court.

The costs are met from the Votes of the government departments concerned, as approved by Parliament in the annual Appropriation Act.