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 been informed of the nature of the investigation being carried out by Professor Monica McWilliams, of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; whether they have been given the terms of reference of the investigation; whether they were prepared by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and whether they will publish the terms of reference.

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, and no formal terms of reference were provided.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3148; 710 c165WA
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