Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

HL Deb 14 February 2002 vol 631 c168WA

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether as part of their policy of open government, they will require the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to publish on its website all letters from the chief commissioner which have been lodged in the Library of the House in answer to Written Questions. [HL2607]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Northern Ireland Act 1998 does not require the commission to publish on a website any letters from the chief commissioner in answer to Parliamentary Questions referred to it for answer. However, the Government require that replies to Parliamentary Questions should be sent directly to the initiator within 14 days and that arrangements are made to ensure that copies are placed in the Library.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is an independent body, and what the Commission chooses to publish on its website is therefore a matter for the commission. However, I have written to the chief commissioner to request that the commission considers this matter.