HL Deb 30 October 1995 vol 566 cc139-42WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they will take, in accordance with the UN Human Rights Committee's recommendation (CCPR/C/79/Add.55, 27th July 1995) that the UN Human Rights Committee's comments and information about the dialogue with the committee should be distributed to non-governmental organisations and to the public at large; and

Whether they intend to give effect to the recommendation of the Human Rights Committee (UN Document CCPR/C/79/Add.55 of 27th July 1995) that the United Kingdom should give wide publicity to the Government's report and to the reporting procedure and should distribute the committee's comments and information about the dialogue with the committee to interested non-governmental groups and to the public at large.

Baroness Blatch

The Concluding Observations issued by the Human Rights Committee on 27 July, following the United Kingdom's oral examination on its Fourth Periodic Report, have been made available in the Library of the House. The corrected summary records of the hearing will be made similarly available, once these have been issued by the committee. Both documents are published by the United Nations, and copies may be obtained from that source. Copies are also freely available from the Home Office on request.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they intend to take to meet the concern expressed by the Human Rights Committee (UN Document CCPR/C/79/Add.55 of 27th July 1995) that the practice of the United Kingdom in contracting out to the private commercial sector core state activities which involve the use of force and the detention of persons weakens the protection of rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Baroness Blatch

The Government do not intend to make any changes to current arrangements for the use of contractually managed prisons and immigration centres, or private companies for court or immigration escort services, which already adequately protect the rights of those detained.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they intend to take to meet the concern expressed by the Human Rights Committee (UN Document CCPR/C/79/Add.55 of 27th July 1995) at "incidences of the use of excessive force in the execution of deportation orders" and the lack of "adequate legal representation" for asylum seekers effectively to challenge administrative decisions.

Baroness Blatch

In January 1994, my right honourable friend, the Home Secretary, accepted the recommendations of a Review of Removal Procedures carried out by the Home Office and the Police following the tragic death of Mrs Joy Gardner. The recommendations are now reflected in the handling of all removal cases.

All asylum seekers have access to free legal advice and representation.

The Government has noted the observations of the Human Rights Committee following its oral examination of the United Kingdom on our Fourth Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. However, we do not plan any further measures in the light of the Committee's views.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to give effect to the Human Rights Committee's recommendation (UN Document CCPR/C/79/Add.55 of 27th July 1995) that the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and the equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland be reviewed in order to ensure that the provisions which allow inferences to be drawn from the silence of accused persons do not compromise the implementation of various provisions in Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Baroness Blatch

The Government do not accept that the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 on inferences from silence, or the comparable legislation in Northern Ireland, contravene in any way the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they intend to take to give effect to the recommendation of the Human Rights Committee (UN Document CCPR/C/79/Add.55 of 27th July 1995) that the reservations entered by the United Kingdom to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights should be reviewed.

Baroness Blatch

The Government have recently considered whether they can withdraw any of their reservations to the covenant but have concluded that` these remain necessary. The reservations are kept under review, and will be withdrawn as soon as they are no longer needed.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to take further action in accordance with the recommendation of the Human Rights Committee (UN Document CCPR/C/79/Add.55 of 27th July 1995) to tackle the remaining problems of racial and ethnic discrimination and of social exclusion.

Baroness Blatch

The United Kingdom already has a good record on race relations which is significantly better than that of most comparable countries. Through the Commission for Racial Equality, it funds a number of campaigns and initiatives along the lines suggested by the Human Rights Committee.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to take action (a) to meet the concern expressed by the Human Rights Committee (CCPR/C/79/Add.55, of 27th July 1995) at the extent to which the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is impeded by the combined effects of the non-incorporation of the covenant into domestic law, the failure to accede to the first Optional Protocol, and the absence of a constitutional Bill of Rights, and (b) to give effect to the committee's recommendation that the United Kingdom "take urgent steps to ensure that its legal machinery allows for the full implementation of the Covenant" by examining the need to incorporate the covenant into domestic law or introducing a Bill of Rights, and reviewing its position under the Optional Protocol.

Baroness Blatch

No. The Government consider that the existing arrangements in this country already allow for full compliance with the covenant.