HL Deb 20 November 2003 vol 654 cc356-7WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What they mean by "acts of completion" as used in the Joint Declaration regarding the Belfast agreement; and whether parity of esteem for the Ulster-Scots community is included. [HL5471]

Baroness Amos

As the Joint Declaration published on 1 May makes clear, the Government remain committed to the full implementation of the Belfast agreement in the context of acts of completion.

The agreement endorses the commitment made by the British and Irish Governments that, whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of the people of Northern Ireland, the power of the sovereign government with jurisdiction there shall be exercised with rigorous impartiality on behalf of all of the people in the diversity of their identities and traditions and shall be founded on the principles of full respect for, and equality of, civil, political, social and cultural rights, of freedom from discrimination for all citizens and of parity of esteem and of just and equal treatment for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities.