§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has the power to interfere in the work of the Consensia Partnership on police recruiting; and, if so, where this power may be found in the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [HL1283]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)There is no specific role for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in the work of the Consensia Partnership under either the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 or the Police Recruitment Regulations 2001. However, Section 69(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 places on the commission a general duty to keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of practice relating to the protection of human rights in Northern Ireland.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
With reference to the publication on 19 November of draft service flags for the Police Service of Northern Ireland:
- (a) whether any of the designated members of the Policing Board were informed about the drafts before 7 November;
- (b) which party leaders were consulted about the drafts; and
- (c) when the drafts were commissioned, by whom, who carried out the designs and how much they cost. [HL1525]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe chairman and vice-chairman of the Policing Board met the Minister, Jane Kennedy, on 11 October. At this meeting, they were told that work had been undertaken on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office by design consultants.
205WANo party leaders were consulted about the drafts before the beginning of the consultation period on 19 November.
The drafts were commissioned by the Northern Ireland Office from a number of Northern Ireland-based designers, the details of which are commercially confidential. The aggregate costs for the sample emblem designs were £41,329.45 (inclusive of VAT). This figure includes research, presentation materials and colour photocopying.