HL Deb 02 May 2000 vol 612 c156WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 12 April (WA 49–50), in what way would acceptance of new rights of petition under United Nations human rights treaties, by which the United Kingdom is already bound, affect the implementation and bedding down of the Human Rights Act 1998. [HL2165]

Lord Bach

There is a great deal of work to be done by public authorities across the United Kingdom to prepare for the commencement of the Human Rights Act 1998 and to ensure that it is assimilated successfully. The Government consider that preparing for the right of individual petition to United Nations human rights treaties by which the United Kingdom is already bound, and responding to any complaints which may be brought under those procedures, is likely to divert resources from implementing the Human Rights Act 1998.