§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is correct, as stated in the last annual report of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights, that the emergency provisions 187WA legislation in Northern Ireland was renewed without meaningful consultation with the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights: and, if so, what were the reasons for this lack of consultation.
§ Baroness Denton of WakefieldMy right honourable and learned friend the Secretary of State made the Government's intentions clear on 12th June 1995 when he announced to the House of Commons that there was to be an authoritative and independent review of the continuing need for emergency legislation. Because the findings of the review would not be received in time to influence the shape of the new Emergency Provisions Act, the Government decided that the successor legislation would be temporary and of shorter maximum life span.
The Government were and are fully aware of the Commission's views, which have been set out in successive annual reports and which were presented forcefully at the Commission's meeting with the Secretary of State on 11th December 1995. There is no question of denying the Commission sufficient opportunity to present its views or to make sufficient representations on emergency legislation. It has also been invited to make representations to Lord Lloyd, who is conducting the review of emergency legislation, and I understand that they have submitted their views to him.