Right of Individual Petition under International Conventions

HL Deb 13 May 1999 vol 600 cc158-9WA

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Williams of Mostyn on 31 March (WA 77), what is their estimate of the resources likely to be required by government departments in preparing for the right of individual petition under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; and in responding to any complaints which may be brought under those procedures. [HL2175]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Detailed estimates of the resources required are not available. All departments are heavily engaged in preparations on the Human Rights Act and any additional work on rights of petition under these treaties would divert available resources from that important task.