HL Deb 24 April 2001 vol 625 cc35-7WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the funding allocation for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for 2000–01; whether they expect the commission to exceed this amount; if so, by how much; and from where the extra funding will come. [HL1376]

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)

The budget for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for 2000–01 was set at £750,000. In addition, Parliament approved a carryover of £178,000 from the previous year. The commission has not exceeded its cash allocations in-year. However, the commission's accounts, which have to be produced on an accruals basis, will indicate a small operating deficit. This will be notified to Parliament in due course in the normal way.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission pays, as a percentage of its total budget, for the salaries, national insurance and pensions of its chief executive and chief commissioner. [HL1379]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission spends 15.6 per cent of its annual budget on the salaries, pension and national insurance contributions for the chief executive and chief commissioner.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, and if so when, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will respond to a letter of 4 September 2000 from the Ulster Scots Language Society requesting a meeting about the Commission's recognition of the Ulster Scots language. [HL1465]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What work the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has done on the rights of victims of paramilitary violence. [HL1468]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What groups or individuals from the following sections of Northern Irish society: (a) evangelical Protestant, (b) ethnic minorities, and (c) victims of violence from paramilitaries the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has consulted about potential breaches of human rights and about further human rights legislation. [HL1549]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consultations and publicity campaigns the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will undertake in seeking views on a proposed Bill of Human Rights for Northern Ireland. [HL1551]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What issues in the education sector in Northern Ireland the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is currently addressing. [HL1552]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the library.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What decision-making process the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission follows in deciding which cases it will support. [HL1574]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the library.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage of presentations and written requests made to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission go unacknowledged and unanswered after three months. [HL1467]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.