asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 5 February (WA 172–3), how much funding they have made available for the cases to be made in Northern Ireland for the need not to have a separate bill of rights; and the need not to have a bill of rights. [HL1884]

The remit of the Bill of Rights Forum is to produce agreed recommendations by 31 March to inform the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's advice to Government on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, drawing as appropriate on international human rights instruments and experience. A budget of £441,600 has been made available for this purpose.

Members of the Bill of Rights Forum reflect a diverse range of opinion on the need for a separate Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. Funding has not been directed at specific categories of opinion.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 5 February (WA 171) concerning the chairman of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Forum, how potential candidates for the chairmanship were identified; against what criteria and by whom the candidates were assessed; and whether they will place in the Library of the House a list of the candidates considered. [HL1886]

Suggestions for potential candidates for the chairmanship of the Bill of Rights Forum were provided by officials in the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the then Department for Constitutional Affairs, the Northern Ireland Office, the Irish Government, the UK Mission to the UN, Geneva, and the British Embassy, Dublin. Candidates were then assessed by officials against the following criteria:

experience and understanding of human rights, including international human rights instruments, particularly the European Convention on Human Rights;

a track record of leadership;

proven ability to establish consensus among a politically and socially divergent group; and

proven ability to analyse and make recommendations on complex issues.

A shortlist of candidates was provided to NIO Ministers, who determined that Mr Sidoti should be invited to chair the forum.

A list of candidates considered has not been placed in the Library of the House because it contains “personal data” within the meaning of the Data Protection Act 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What equality impact assessment was carried out in advance of approval of a grant of £441,660 to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Forum; and whether related documentation will be placed in the Library of the House. [HL1887]

The Northern Ireland Office completed an equality scheme screening form which determined that the policy being screened would not have a significant impact on equality of opportunity in Northern Ireland. As a result of the outcome of this screening exercise, a full equality impact assessment was not required. A copy of the screening form will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 5 February (WA 172) concerning human rights in Northern Ireland, whether the remit of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Forum includes persuasion of the community of the need for a bill of rights or is confined to the grounds the bill should cover. [HL1889]

The terms of reference of the Bill of Rights Forum are “to produce agreed recommendations to inform the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s advice to Government on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, drawing as appropriate on international human rights instruments and experience. These additional rights to reflect the principles of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of both communities and parity of esteem, and—taken together with the ECHR—to constitute a Bill Rights for Northern Ireland.”