HL Deb 13 January 2000 vol 608 c132WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How near in the future do they intend to establish a Joint Select Committee on Human Rights. [HL295]

The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)

The timing for the Joint Committee's establishment is related to the date of implementation for the Human Rights Act. We announced on 18 May 1999 that the Human Rights Act will be implemented on 2 October 2000, so as to allow time for judicial training and departmental preparations. The Government consider that the Joint Committee should be operational in advance of the Act coming into full effect. We hope to make an announcement about that shortly.