§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
When and why they decided that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission needed members with community and grass-roots involvement or with political astuteness and awareness or an international perspective; and which members embody these requirements. [HL5899]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn):All 22 candidates who were interviewed were of a very high calibre. The interview panel met on 12 June 2001 and concluded that it would be important for any new appointeees to bring different skills or experiences to the commission to complement those skills already present.
The Government are subject to the Commissioner for Public Appointments' guidance that requires that appointments be made on merit, and all the appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission followed this overriding principle. Those candidates who were selected by the panel as being suitable for appointment were also credited with having expertise in the agreed categories, bringing a balance of skills and background to the commission.
166WAWe cannot disclose which candidates were felt to embody particular skills as that would breach the confidentiality of the interview process.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who appointed Ms Inez McCormack and Professor Christine Bell to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. [HL5901]
§ Lord Williams of Mostyn:Section 68(2) of the Northern Ireland Act requires the Secretary of State to make appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Ms Inez McCormack: and Professor Christine Bell were both appointed to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on 1 March 1999 by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Marjorie Mowlam.