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Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they intend to make it their policy to add new or further education, health and employment rights for Northern Ireland to those already provided for in the Human Rights Act 1998.[HL1089]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government invited the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to consult and advise on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights (on which the Human Rights Act is based) to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland. When the commission provides its advice (which it is expected to do later this year) the Government will give it due consideration.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the current annual budget of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and what proportion is spent on staff.[HL1090]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: In 2000-01 the annual budget of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission was £750,000, of which £330,500 (44 per cent) was spent on staffing costs. This does not include the (full-time) Chief Commissioner's remuneration of £57,475 or that of the other (part-time) Commissioners (£8,000 each), both of which are already a matter of public record.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will publish their submission to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on their proposed new Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.[HL1091]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government have not made a submission to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on this matter.
On 24 March 1999, the then Secretary of State wrote to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission inviting the commission to consult and advise on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights (on which the Human Rights Act is based) to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland. A copy of that letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What percentage of the staff of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are (a) Protestant and (b) male.[HL1092]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission directly employs its own staff, so this is a matter for the commission itself. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will make representations to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to commit itself to deal with third party violators of human rights where they are paramilitary organisations.[HL1093]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is an independent body, and as such it is not for Her Majesty's Government to determine with whom it should deal.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has prepared its submission for more powers and resources; and whether they can outline details of its plan for widespread consultation on such proposals.[HL1201]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: In accordance with Section 69(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, we received a submission from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on 28 February, containing recommendations on how the commission's effectiveness might be improved. We are currently considering its recommendations and will issue a formal response in due course. Should we propose to amend the legislation, our proposals will be subject to public consultation in the usual way.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- On what basis the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has decided:
(a) to campaign for a public judicial inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane;
(b) to campaign for a public inquiry into the death of Rosemary Nelson; and
(c) not to campaign for a public judicial inquiry into the death of Billy Wright in HM Prison The Maze.[HL1272]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: It is for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to determine the subjects of its investigations. This issue, however, appears to fall outside the commission's statutory functions.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will use its website to "name and shame" organisations and individuals taking part in paramilitary beatings.[HL1278]
Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will examine whether the human rights of Protestant farmers in Fermanagh who have left the border area have in any case been infringed.[HL1279]
Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will work with the appropriate authority in the Republic of Ireland to examine whether the Irish Government in the past provided support to the Provisional IRA.[HL1280]
Whether they will require the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to investigate the level of support from Government agencies to returnees who were intimidated out of their residences and now wish to move back to areas such as the west side of the Foyle in Londonderry and to south Fermanagh. [HL1335]
2 Apr 2001 : Column WA99
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: It is for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission itself to decide which issues to investigate.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which representatives for the Unionist population the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has consulted in the past two years.[HL1377]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Irish Human Rights Commission
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What representations they are making to the Government of the Irish Republic concerning its failure to implement the Belfast International treaty of 1998 by appointing a Human Rights Commission which is not representative of all sections of the population in the Republic. [HL1163]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Appointments to the Irish Human Rights Commission are a matter for the Irish Government.
Strategic Communications Unit and Government Communications and Information Service
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Strategic Communications Unit is actively involved in the promotion of "good news" stories on their behalf over weekends and what implications this has for the staff of the Government Communication and Information Service. [HL1108]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government are committed to provide news and information to the media and the public whenever necessary. The Strategic Communications Unit reflects this in its work, including the co-ordination of the activities of other departments. Any implications for the staff of the Government Communications and Information Service are a matter for employing departments.
Lightening Burdens on Business: European Commission Proposals
Lord Harrison asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they support moves by European Union Commissioner Erkki Liikanen to explore new forms of self-regulation and co-regulation which, while maintaining the highest standards for health and safety and respect for the environment, seek to cut red-tape for business and industry in the European Union. [HL1165]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Yes. Her Majesty's Government welcomes and supports moves by the European Commission to explore alternatives to state regulation that deliver the appropriate degree of protection without undue burdens on business.
Millennium Dome: Sale
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer on 15 February regarding the sale of the Millennium Dome site, when they will publish the list of names of those persons who will serve on the advisory group which will assess the expressions of interest from parties who wish to submit bids following the failure of Legacy plc to meet the preferred bidder terms; and [HL 856]
What criteria they will use to determine whether new bids for the Millennium Dome site represent best value for money for taxpayers; and [HL 857]
When they will publish new bidding terms for the purchase of the Millennium Dome site. [HL 1302]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: We are currently conducting market testing prior to launching a new competition. Details of the timetable and process of that competition, including the new advisory group and criteria for assessing new bids, will be announced as soon as possible after the market testing is complete.
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