§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will make it their policy to use the powers under Section 10 and Schedule 2 to the Human Rights Act 1998 to bring UK legislation in line with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in Goodwin and I v UK (judgment of 11 July 2002); and if she will make a statement. [96888]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonAs I announced on 13 December and in my written ministerial statement on 16 December,Official Report, column 36WS, the Government are committed to legislating as soon as possible to give transsexual people their Convention rights. We have decided against using a Remedial Order under the Human Rights Act because the Convention issues go beyond identifying possible incompatibilities with current law. The necessary response is so wide-ranging that only a Bill would be appropriate. I have corresponded on this subject with the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which agrees that proceeding by way of a Bill is the only proper approach in the circumstances.
We are therefore taking forward work towards a draft Bill which we hope it will be possible to publish during the course of this session of Parliament.
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