European Charter of Fundamental Rights (Hansard, 1 November 2000)

§ Mr. Bercow
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the relationship between Articles 3 and 13 of the draft European Charter of Fundamental Rights. [134820]

§ Mr. Vaz
Article 13 (freedom of the arts and sciences) is a general statement of the principles in ECHR Article 10, as far as it applies to arts and sciences. The latter article allows limitations. The freedom of research in Article 13 must be interpreted consistently with Article 3 and subject to the limitations permitted under Article 10 ECHR.

§ Mr. Bercow
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money he estimates will need to be set aside for implementation of the draft Charter of Fundamental Rights for(a) legal aid for cases brought under it and (b) legal costs for Her Majesty's Government to defend against claims. [135569]

§ Mr. Vaz
None. The charter is a political declaration and is not legally binding. It brings together in a single document fundamental rights, freedoms and principles that already exist within the EU.

§ Mr. Bercow
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those UK agencies covered by Article 36 of the draft Charter of Fundamental Rights. [135573]

§ Mr. Vaz
The charter will be a political declaration of rights, freedoms and principles and is not legally binding. Article 36 deals with the principle of the EU Institutions540W respecting access to services of general economic interest. The article reflects Article 16 of the Treaty establishing the European Community and does not create any new right.

§ Mr. Bercow
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards inclusion of Article 12.2 in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. [135568]

§ Mr. Vaz
Article 12.2 of the charter is a restatement of the existing principle set out in Article 191 of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

§ Mr. Bercow
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to Article 23 of the draft Charter of Fundamental Rights, he proposes to adopt measures for specific advantage in favour of the under-represented sex in the work force; and in which case men are the under-represented. [135567]

§ Mr. Vaz
No. The charter is a political declaration of rights, freedoms and principles recognised within the EU, and is not legally binding.