HL Deb 31 January 2002 vol 631 cc48-9WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that meetings of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission should be open to the public; and, if not, why not; and [HL2187]

What is the policy concerning the publication of minutes of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on their website; and, in particular, how soon after a meeting they are published. [HL2289]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The Cabinet Office guide on non-departmental public bodies states that "NDPBs should hold Annual Open Meetings, where practicable and appropriate. They should also hold other meetings in public where it is felt that these would be a useful means of consultation or would help the public to have a greater understanding of the work of the body".

The guide advises that the summary reports of meetings should be easily obtainable. However, it goes on to state that, "where the nature of the business is sensitive, commercial or political, an open meeting is not appropriate".

Determining the extent to which its discussions could be deemed sensitive, commercial or political is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

We understand that the commission does not hold open meetings but instead publishes the minutes of those meetings on its website. The commission's policy is to put out the minutes as soon as they are cleared for publication.

The question has been referred to the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in case he wishes to expand on the commission's policy in these matters. He will respond to the noble Lord direct and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 26 November (WA 18) about the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, whether they will publish the business plan submitted; whether they have sought, and received, any interim reports on the spending of the extra £357,200; and whether they intend to make, or have made, other additional funds available. [HL1999]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

For the current financial year (2001–02), the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has been granted a total of £1,296,142, consisting of:

£750,000 Annual Budget
£357,200 To support the consultation on the scope for a Bill or Rights for NI.

£65,000 Costs in bringing cases to the House of Lords (repayable if the cases are successful).
£5,350 Costs of the additional commissioners appointed in December.
£100,592 Following an in-year bid to cover the commission's wider range of work.
£18,000 Awarded following a supplementary bid for extra resources.

A further £25,000 has been made available to fund an independent review of the commission, subject to certain conditions.

It is not government practice to publish bids for funding or the supporting business case.

Des Browne MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office, has written to the commission asking for an analysis of the effectiveness of the Bill of Rights consultation, for which the earlier grant of £357,200 has been made. We expect a response in due course.

In addition, the annual financial statement of accounts from the commission will be examined by the Comptroller and Auditor General and laid before Parliament.