Oral Answers to Questions

Carol Monaghan Excerpts

Tuesday 24th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sir Oliver Heald]

I do agree with that. I think it important for us to sort out the EU side of matters, and the exit from the EU, before we return to that subject.

[Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP)]

20. In Scotland there is strong cross-party support for the European convention on human rights and the Human Rights Act, both in Parliament and throughout civil society. Does the Minister agree that any attempt to repeal existing rights will be likely to provoke a constitutional crisis?

[Sir Oliver Heald]

I do not accept that the sort of changes we are proposing to consider once the situation is known about our exit from the EU would be a crisis-making combination. This country has always had a proud respect for human rights; it long predates the Human Rights Act, and I think we can all agree on that.