European Convention on Human Rights

HC Deb 10 June 1997 vol 295 cc385-6W

Mr. Gerald Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of introducing into British law the European convention on human rights. [1197]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The speech of my right hon. Friend on the Debate on the Address on 19 May,Official Report, column 395, set out the case, in the Government's view, for incorporating the Convention. It will be for others to point out what they see as the disadvantages.

I will send the hon. Gentleman a document, "Bringing Rights Home", published by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and my hon. Friend the Member for Brent South (Mr. Boateng) in December, setting out the case in more detail.