Human Rights Act 1998

Baroness Greengross Excerpts

Wednesday 12th October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Tomlinson]

My Lords—

[Baroness Greengross]

My Lords, in declaring an interest as the second lead commissioner on human rights in the Equality and Human Rights Commission, I ask the Minister for reassurance that the Government will, in any look at a Bill of Rights, not go back on the basis of the Human Rights Act but build on it—that they will look at some of the controversial workings of the Act, which need looking at, but not take us backwards. It is very important that we are all committed, as I think we all are, to the basic human rights principles.

[Lord McNally]

Again, I can do no better than to quote the coalition agreement, which says:

“The Commission will investigate the creation of a UK Bill of Rights that incorporates and builds on all our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, ensures that these rights continue to be enshrined in UK law, and protects and extend our liberties”.