Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

HC Deb 15 November 2000 vol 356 c663W

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those Bills to which the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has given a declaration of compatibility with human rights and also list those which have received an adverse declaration in regard to Bills presented to(a) Parliament and (b) the Northern Ireland Assembly. [136611]

Mr. George Howarth

There is no requirement for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to give a statement of compatibility before Parliament or the Assembly can consider a Bill; this is required from the Minister in charge. In the Assembly, this is part of the Minister's statement that the Bill is within the legislative competence of the Assembly.

Under its statutory functions, the Commission is required to advise the Assembly on whether a Bill is compatible with human rights—including the Convention rights—only when it is asked to do so and on such other occasion as the Commission thinks appropriate.