To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 1 June (WA 51), whether they will withhold approval for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to receive funding from the Atlantic Philanthropies for its proposed further work on campaigning for a bill of rights if this is seen as inconsistent with the commission's statutory function of providing advice on the scope for a Bill of Rights, which it did in December 2008. [HL4045]

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has considered and approved the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's proposal to access external funding from Atlantic Philanthropies. The Secretary of State is satisfied that the proposed projects are consistent with the commission's statutory functions and that the acceptance of this external funding would be in accordance with the terms of the commission's management statement and financial memorandum.