HL Deb 30 November 1999 vol 607 cc33-4WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of any discrimination on the basis of gender or disability in the laws or practice obtaining in the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. [HL15]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton)

The Chief Pleas of Sark voted on 24 November to amend their inheritance laws so as to abolish male preference. There are a few other minor examples of Channel Island laws that discriminate on the basis of gender, but these are under review. Apart from these, I am not aware of any discrimination on the basis of gender or disability in the laws or practice obtaining in the Crown Dependencies.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs and the right of access to public service, guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is secured for the people of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. [HL16]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

Yes.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights may be invoked before the domestic courts of Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. [HL17]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) may not be invoked before the domestic courts of jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man but may be utilised in the same fashion as any other international agreement extending to the Crown Dependencies which has not been incorporated into domestic law. The status of the ICCPR in the Crown Dependencies is the same as it is in the United Kingdom.