§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will take steps to increase public awareness of(a) the UN Draft Principles on the Role of Lawyers approved by the 8th UN Congress on the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders and (b) paragraph 5.13 of the Concluding Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Human Dimension of the CSCE agreed in June 1990. [38907]
§ Mr. IngramUK law fully respects and takes into account UN Basic Principles such as those mentioned in the question. The United Kingdom is also participating in discussions in the Council of Europe concerning freedom to exercise the profession of lawyer. These discussions cover, amongst other things, the right of access to lawyers, freedom from harassment and the need for lawyers to act in accordance with professional standards.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will instigate an independent investigation into the extent of threats to legal counsel in Northern Ireland; and what protection is made available to solicitors and banisters who are threatened in connection with their professional duties. [38909]
§ Mr. IngramIf threats are made to legal counsel they should be reported to the RUC for investigation. There are no proposals to have an independent inquiry. The duty that the police have to protect people and property is available to solicitors and barristers, and is the same as to all citizens in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will request the RUC, Law Society and Bar Council to organise joint training seminars for police officers on the role of defence lawyers in the administration of justice. [38910]
§ Mr. IngramThe Chief Constable has been in contact with the Law Society seeking their involvement in RUC detective training courses.
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