HC Deb 29 October 2001 vol 373 c498W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what additional resources have been allocated to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to support the consultation process they are undertaking on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; [7102]

(2) how many bids have been received from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for resources to support the consultation process on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; and if these have been granted; [7103]

(3) how his Department intends to support the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in providing financial resources for it to run a consultation process on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. [7104]

Mr. Browne

It was initially envisaged that the task of advising on the scope for a Bill of Rights was an integral part of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's functions, and would therefore he covered by the Commission's core budget. However, we made it clear from the outset that we would be prepared to consider bids for increased funding, provided they were accompanied by a properly costed business case.

The Commission submitted an initial request for additional funds specifically for the consultation on the scope for a Bill of Rights in December 2000. Following discussion a revised bid was submitted in June 2001. In response to this, the Commission was granted a further £357,200 to fund the consultation process to inform their draft advice to Government on the scope for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how his Department intends to respond to the consultation process on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland as it relates to proposed criminal justice and security rights. [7105]

Mr. Browne

The consultation document published by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on 4 September this year represents its draft advice to Government. The Commission expects to issue its final recommendations to the Government in early 2002, and we look forward to receiving that.

In the meantime, we will study carefully the contents of the draft as it currently stands.