To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the view expressed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the Interim Resolution on 4 March urging the Government “to rapidly adopt measures, of even an interim nature,” to comply with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst (No 2) before the general election. [HL2650]

The Government acknowledge the concerns expressed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the Interim Resolution on 4 March.

The Government remain committed to implementing the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst v UK (No 2). However, the judgment does not have the effect of striking down the national law to which it relates. It is for Parliament to translate the obligations into domestic law. Until that point Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 remains in force.