HL Deb 20 November 2001 vol 628 cc136-7WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the letter from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission of 24 March in which the Secretary of State requested advice as required by Section 69(7) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [HL1093]

When their view, reported on page 14 of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's document Making a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland (September 2001), namely that the issue was the scope of a bill of rights, was expressed; by whom; and whether the commission will publish the full text of the communication. [HL1136]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr Mowlam, wrote to Professor Dickson, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, on 24 March 1999, formally requesting the advice referred to in paragraph 4 of the relevant section of the Good Friday agreement. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library.