Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Buckland and Hannah Bardell

Tuesday 29th June 2021 Commons Chamber

[Hannah Bardell (Livingston) (SNP)]

What plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Human Rights Act 1998.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Robert Buckland)]

The Government have established the independent Human Rights Act review to examine the framework of the Act, how it is operating in practice and whether any change is required. The review is considering the approach taken by our domestic courts to the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and whether the HRA currently strikes the correct balance between the roles of the courts, the Government and this place. The report, due this summer, will be published, as will the Government’s response.

[Hannah Bardell [V]]

Given this Tory Government’s track record of either not consulting or railroading changes without consultation, will the Secretary of State confirm that any proposals to amend the Human Rights Act will be subject to a full public consultation lasting at least three months?

[Robert Buckland]

The hon. Lady will be glad to know that a wholly independent review reflecting opinion from right across the United Kingdom and beyond was set up and will report in due course. Then, no doubt, there will be a consultation on those issues ahead of any legislative change that the Government might introduce to this place.