Joint Committee on Human Rights: Terms of Reference

HL Deb 31 March 1999 vol 599 c77WA

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend that the proposed Joint Committee on Human Rights should be empowered to scrutinise proposed legislation for its compatibility with human rights. [HL1744]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The terms of reference for the Joint Committee have yet to be finalised and proposed to both Houses. However, it is envisaged that they will include the conduct of inquiries into general human rights issues in the United Kingdom, the scrutiny of remedial orders, the examination of draft legislation where there is doubt about compatibility with the incorporated convention rights and the issue of whether there is a need for a Human Rights Commission to monitor the operation of the Human Rights Act.