Written question asked by Lord Laird (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour) on Monday, 11 May 2009.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the murders of two soldiers in Antrim on 7 March and a police constable in Craigavon on 10 March, they have considered the legality of the visit of Professor Monica McWilliams, of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, to detained dissident republican suspects at Antrim police station on 23 March under the powers granted by Sections 69 to 69D of the Northern Ireland Act 1998; and whether they have had discussions with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission or the Police Service of Northern Ireland or both regarding the matter.

Answer: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's visit to Antrim serious crime suite was arranged with the agreement of the chief constable and the commission's formal investigation powers were not invoked. The commission routinely visits places of detention with the agreement of the relevant authorities, as part of its remit under Section 69(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. In line with usual practice, the visit has been discussed at official level with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3147; 710 c164WA
Session: 2008-09
Subjects: Detainees Army Homicide Northern Ireland Police Service of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Terrorism Police stations Visits Antrim McWilliams, Monica
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk