HC Deb 03 March 1998 vol 307 cc523-4W
Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Church of England regarding the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law; what further meetings he expects to hold with representatives of the Church; and if he will make a statement. [31733]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

A meeting was held on 22 December 1997 between Home Office officials and representatives of the Church of England and other Churches, at which a number of points of concern to the Church were discussed. My noble Friend the Lord Williams of Mostyn also had discussions with the right Rev. Prelate, the Bishop of Ripon. Following those meetings, and debates in Another Place, the Government brought forward an amendment to the Human Rights Bill to remove the ability of Ministers to make remedial orders amending Church Measures. The Other Place also passed a number of other amendments relating to Church matters, against the advice of the Government. In the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill on 16 February 1998,Official Report, columns 779–80,my right hon. Friend announced that before coming to a final conclusion on those amendments, he would be happy to discuss the questions at issue further with representatives of the Churches. A meeting has been arranged for next week.