HL Deb 17 April 1996 vol 571 cc70-1WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish their document on the powers of the European Court of Human Rights referred to in the Guardian on 2nd April 1996.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

TheNote on the Position of the British Government has been laid in the Libraries of both Houses.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is correct, as reported in the Guardian on 2nd April 1996, that the Government are seeking to persuade the governments of other member states of the Council of Europe to limit the powers of the European Court of Human Rights and, if not, whether they will state the accurate position.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The Government accept the powers of the European Court of Human Rights as laid down in the European Convention on Human Rights. What we are seeking is wider and more consistent application of the court's own doctrine of the margin of appreciation, as indicated in ourNote on the Position of the British Government. The note has been laid in the Libraries of both Houses.