HC Deb 14 November 2000 vol 356 cc592-3W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what attempts are made by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to identify or assess the perceived(a) political and (b) religious affiliation of persons seeking assistance from the Commission;. [136520]

(2) if he will list the occasions on which the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has initiated proceedings, the nature of each such case and the reference number and names of the persons concerned; [136523]

(3) what efforts are made by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to encourage applications for assistance in bringing a case from sections of the community which are presently under-represented in the number of applications for assistance;. [136521]

(4) if he will list the applications made to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for assistance to bring a case, the cost of such assistance in each case in which assistance was given, and also show the cases in which requests for assistance were refused and the reasons for refusal in each case; [136519]

(5) if he will publish the criteria used by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for giving assistance to an individual to bring a case;. [136518]

(6) on how many occasions the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has assisted individuals in bringing cases; what is the reference number of the cases and the names of the individuals concerned; and by what means the outcome of the cases was brought to the attention of the general public;. [136517]

(7) if he will list the occasions on which the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has intervened in existing proceedings, indicating the nature of the cases, the names of those involved and the reference number. [136522]

Mr. George Howarth

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission which is an independent body. I have therefore asked the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to write to the hon. Member. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.