§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received concerning the introduction and implementation of a Bill of Rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewOver the past six months my Department has received representations about the introduction of a Bill of rights from the Ulster Unionist party, the Social Democratic and Labour party, the Liberal Democrats, the Workers Party, the National Peace Council and the Committee for the Administration of Justice. The Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights and the organisers of Initiative 92 have also expressed their continuing support for the idea.
The Government are ready in the context of the political talks involving the Irish Government and the main constitu-tional parties to consider the case for further enhancing the protection of human rights in Northern Ireland, including some form of entrenchment to provide additional, built-in safeguards against discrimination and disadvantage.