Oral Answers to Questions

Gavin Newlands Excerpts

Thursday 25th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Callum McCaig (Aberdeen South) (SNP)]

2. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect of a British Bill of Rights on Scotland.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

8. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998.

[Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP)]

10. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Attorney General]

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Lord Chancellor’s evidence to that Committee, which I have read, he is not quite right; the Lord Chancellor was talking about the prospects for considering how the Supreme Court might fulfil a different role, and he was referring to the German example of how that is done. The hon. Gentleman will also know that no proposals have yet been brought forward; he will see them when they are. As I, the Lord Chancellor and others have said, we will ensure that there is proper consultation on any proposals.

[Gavin Newlands]

As the Attorney General will be aware, both the Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights have independently commented on the undesirability of any overlap between the proposed consultation on the Bill of Rights and pre-election periods, including for the Scottish Parliament elections in May. What discussions has he had with the Justice Secretary regarding publication of the consultation?

[The Attorney General]

Again, the hon. Gentleman will have to wait to see the proposals when they are brought forward. On timing, he will know that the Cabinet Office has very clear guidelines on respect for purdah periods before elections, and I know that my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor is keen that all due regard is paid to them.