HL Deb 30 June 1999 vol 603 cc41-2WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 19 May (WA 35), whether they will, as a matter of normal practice, disclose their reasons for withholding statements of compatibility under Section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998 or for making statements of compatibility, in the course of the parliamentary proceedings on Bills. [HL3173]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Government believe that a Minister in charge of a Bill should be ready to address Convention-related issues during proceedings, but the Minister must retain the discretion to decide how to do so in the context of the debate.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they have refused to disclose their reasons, during the parliamentary proceedings on the Immigration and Asylum Bill (H.C. Deb., 20 April, cols. 770 and 954) and the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill (H.L. Deb., 10 June, cols. 1648–9) for their statements under Section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998 that the Bill's provisions are compatible with Convention rights. [HL3174]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The provisions referred to are being examined in detail during the parliamentary scrutiny of these Bills. It: is, of course, open to any Member to take up with the Minister in charge of the Bill a reply which the Member believes has not dealt adequately with his or her concern.