§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish any statistical analysis of the more than 1,400 expressions of interest in appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. [HL218]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonNo data (other than a mailing name and address) were collected from individuals requesting further information on appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, so no analysis of these is possible. All applicants were requested to complete an equality monitoring form as part of their application, but were under no obligation to answer any or all of the questions. An analysis of this data will be published in due course as part of the department's wider obligations under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish any statistical analysis of the more than 500 completed application forms for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, based on information given in the application form and the equality monitoring form where this information is legally disclosable. [HL219]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonNo data (other than a mailing name and address) were collected from individuals requesting further information on appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, so no analysis of these is possible. All applicants were requested to complete an equality monitoring form as part of their application, but were under no obligation to answer any or all of the questions. An analysis of this data will be published in due course as part of the department's wider obligations under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What criteria were used to draw up a shortlist for interview for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and how many people have been shortlisted. [HL220]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe same criteria, which were detailed in the applicants' information pack, have been used throughout the appointments process: teamwork; policy development and analytical skills; organisational skills and awareness; communication; planning and organisation of work; physical and financial resource management; and drive and motivation. Twenty-two people have been invited to attend an interview.
220WA
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission was consulted, formally or informally, on the applications for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. [HL222]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has not been consulted, formally or informally, on the applications for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Irish Government were consulted, formally or informally, on the applications for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commisison. [HL237]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe Irish Government were not consulted, formally or informally, on the applications for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who will constitute the interviewing panel(s) on 18 to 20 July and 31 July to 3 August 2001, or at any rearranged dates, for appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. [HL238]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe panel interviewing candidates for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will be chaired by Mr Chris Maccabe (Associate Political Director, Northern Ireland Office). The other panel members will be Mrs Judith Eve (Independent Assessor; Queen's University, Belfast) and Mr John Keanie (former Chief Executive, Derry City Council).
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
When it is intended to advertise for the position of Chief Human Rights Commissioner in the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, which becomes vacant on 17 January 2002, and the positions of the eight remaining commissioners, which become vacant on 28 February 2002.
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonNo decision has yet been made regarding the re-appointment of either the Chief Commissioner or the other commissioners to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, whose terms of appointment all end on 28 February 2002.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will amend Section 69(11)(b) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 at an early opportunity in order to require the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to concern itself with the majority of victims whose rights have been abused by paramilitary organisations. [HL223]
221WA
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonSection 69(11)(b) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 makes clear that the commission is to advise on those rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights. The Government have no plans to amend this part of the legislation.