HL Deb 19 February 2001 vol 622 cc82-4WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On which dates during 2000 the Northern Ireland Commission of Human Rights met; and when during that year and in what form the minutes of such meetings were made public. [HL489]

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

During 2000 the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission met on the following dates:

  • 17 January
  • 14 February
  • 13 March
  • 10 April
  • 15 May
  • 12 June
  • 18 July
  • 14 August
  • 11 September 9 October
  • 13 November
  • 11 December

The minutes of all commission meetings are posted on their website at www.nihrc.org shortly after they have been agreed. Hard copies are available from the commission on request.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On which topics they have consulted the Northern Ireland Commission of Human Rights; and on what dates. [HL490]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Her Majesty's Government have formally consulted the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the following occasions:

Date Subject
June 1999 and March 2000 Criminal Justice Review
March 2000 Document on the future of the Juvenile Justice Centre Estate
October 2000 Ongoing review of prisons legislation
October 2000 Draft Code of Practice: s.99 of Terrorism Act 2000
November 2000 Proposal for a Draft Financial Investigations (Northern Ireland) Order 2001
November 2000 Draft Code of Practice: Video Recording with Sound
December 2000 Draft of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission were involved in canvassing the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic to ensure that only members of the Roman Catholic faith are permitted to hold school teaching posts in church schools throughout Ireland; if so, who; and whether such activities would be appropriate for a human rights commissioner. [HL506]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The appropriateness of commissioners' activities, within the context of the commission's own code of conduct, is a matter for the commission itself. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.