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Proceeding contribution from Lord Bellingham (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Monday, 19 February 2007. It occurred during Adjournment debate on Human Rights.


Human Rights

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Bill of Rights would re-invoke the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy over EU law and the European Court of Human Rights. If we can make it work, we most certainly will. I shall bring my remarks to a conclusion because many hon. Members want to speak in the debate. The Government admit that there are flaws in the Human Rights Act. The Lord Chancellor is touring the country telling anyone who is prepared to listen that an injection of common sense will make it work properly. However, in the two speeches that he recently made, there are no answers to the fundamental flaws in the Act. I ask the Lord Chancellor and the Minister: why do they go on defending an Act that is beyond repair and not fit for purpose? Incidentally, if Ministers spent less time trying to defend the legislation, they might be able to sort out the problems in their own Department, such as the crisis of legal aid, which impacts on all our constituents. Why cannot Department for Constitutional Affairs Ministers work with Home Office Ministers?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
457 c81 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Disclosure of information Civil liberties Data protection Courts Bill of Rights Human rights European Convention on Human Rights European Court of Human Rights National security Protection Treaties United Nations Religious freedom
Legislation
Human Rights Act 1998
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk