HC Deb 02 November 1999 vol 337 cc129-32W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what moneys were allocated by his Department to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for each of its first three years; and what requests for greater funding were received by his Department. [95502]

Mr. George Howarth

The Commission is defined as a Non Departmental Public Body and is funded by means of a grant in aid. Its grant in aid for each of its first three years will be £750,000. The Government are determined to ensure that the Commission is properly funded to carry out its various duties and functions, and believe that the current level of funding is adequate. The Commission informed the Secretary of State of its intention to seek additional funding in a letter dated 22 October. Any formal request for an increase in funding will be considered alongside the other financial demands that the Northern Ireland Office has to meet in its annual budget.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what basis post-graduate interns have been selected to work for the Human Rights Commission; and how many of them are of(a) British, (b) Irish and (c) other nationality. [95504]

Mr. George Howarth

Two post-graduate interns have worked at the Commission for a three month period this year. The basis of their selection and questions relating to their nationality are the responsibility of the Commission, and I have asked the Chief Commissioner to write to the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the decision of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to intervene in the matter of UK-wide legislation which is without a specific Northern Ireland aspect. [95508]

Mr. George Howarth

I am not certain to which specific intervention the right hon. Gentleman refers; however, section 69(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 states thatThe Commission shall keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness in Northern Ireland of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights".

This duty is not confined to instances where there is a specific Northern Ireland aspect to UK-wide legislation.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which political parties were invited to consult over the proposals that appear in the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's draft strategic plan; which were consulted; and which declined or failed to respond. [95496]

Mr. George Howarth

The Commission is an independent body and as such its proposals and activities are a matter for the Commission itself. I have therefore asked the Chief Commissioner to write to the right hon. Gentleman to inform him of the consultation process on the Commission's draft strategic plan.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what interests have been registered by the members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. [95506]

Mr. George Howarth

The Commission maintains a Register of Interests for both Commissioners and staff. It can be seen by any member of the public at the Commission's office in Belfast.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when his Department made a formal request to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission asking it to consult and advise on the possibility of a Northern Ireland Bill of Rights; and in what terms was this request. [95505]

Mr. George Howarth

My right hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Marjorie Mowlam), the then Secretary of State, wrote to the Chief Commissioner on 24 March 1999, as she was required to do under Section 69(7) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. She invited the Commission to provide advice of the kind referred to in paragraph 4 of the relevant section of the Belfast Agreement, namelyto consult and to advise on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, drawing as appropriate on international instruments and experience. These additional rights to reflect the principles of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of both communities and parity of esteem, and—taken together with the ECHR—to constitute a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

The Act does not set a time limit for receipt of these proposals and the Secretary of State did not ask for the Commission's proposals within a set time.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Committee on the Administration of Justice made application to the Council of Europe for funding for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission before the Commission's members were appointed; and if he will make a statement. [95497]

Mr. George Howarth

The Commission, although funded by Government, is free to seek additional funding from outside sources. Other bodies are also free to seek funding on its behalf. This is not a matter for the Government.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff work for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and on what grades and salaries. [95503]

Mr. George Howarth

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has a statutory duty to approve the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's employment of staff as to numbers and as to remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment.

The Commission has to date appointed eight members of staff. The staff are not civil servants and the Commission has not adopted formal grades, however they have used the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NIC) Pay Scales as a guide to salaries.

There are three Administrative Officers employed on the equivalent of the Clerical and Secretarial Pay Scale. There are four staff appointed on the equivalent of Scale 119; these are a Research Worker; Case Worker; Education Worker and Development Worker. The Commission's Chief Executive is appointed on the equivalent of the Principal Officer Scale of the NICS.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on which occasions meetings of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission have been held outside its own headquarters; if any such meetings have been in the private offices of Commissioners; and if he will make a statement about this practice. [95579]

Mr. George Howarth

The Northern Ireland Act 1998 leaves the Commission free to determine its own procedures. I have asked the Chief Commissioner to write to the right hon. Gentleman on the point that he raises.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the report drawn up by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on whether paramilitary violations of human rights are appropriate for campaigning action by the Commission; and if he will make a statement. [95507]

Mr. George Howarth

It is not for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to decide to publish any material that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission produces. Section 69(9) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 states thatThe Commission may decide to publish its advice and the outcome of its research and investigations

I have asked the Chief Commissioner, Professor Brice Dickson, to write to the right hon. Gentleman on the issue that he raises.