Lords of Appeal: Role in Constitutional Change

HL Deb 03 February 1999 vol 596 c209WA

Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they regard the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary as having a role in promoting constitutional change. [HL645]

The Lord Chancellor

The Lords of Appeal in Ordinary have an important part to play in interpreting and applying any legislation made by Parliament which brings about constitutional change and, when the substantive provisions of the Human Rights Act come into force, in developing the common law compatibly with the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights.