Examination of Witnesses (Questions 140
- 147)
TUESDAY 23 NOVEMBER 1999
MR PETER
HAIN MP, MR
TONY BRENTON,
AND DR
CAROLYN BROWNE
Sir John Stanley
140. You said "in the next". Do you
mean actually in this parliamentary session?
(Mr Hain) I want to see it introduced as soon as possible.
It will be published in this parliamentary session; as early next
year as drafting pressures allow. Once that has happened and a
consensus is assembled around it, through consultation with your
Committee, Mr Chairman, with the other parties, with the non-governmental
organisations—and we will be involved in an active process
of consulting all the key NGOs in this context—if we can
get an early consensus because there is agreement on the principle
and we can find the window, we are keen in the Foreign Office
to put it on the statute book as soon as possible.
Chairman
141. "As soon as possible"? We are
searching really for an undertaking that that Bill will become
law in this session of Parliament.
(Mr Hain) It is not in my gift to determine when it
can reach the floor of the House, that is a matter for the business
managers. But, as I have indicated perhaps as clearly—some
might say "imprudently"—as possible, I want to
see it on quickly. As soon as the business managers can find an
opportunity, as soon as there is a consensus between the parties
through the usual channels to make sure that opportunity is a
real one and does not impede other Government business, then we
can move. Could I just add that support from your Committee on
this matter would be very helpful to us.
Chairman: We can assure you of that support,
Mr Hain.
Sir John Stanley
142. Please could you clarify the position of
your department? Is your department seeking to introduce this
Bill in this session of Parliament?
(Mr Hain) It is not up to us to say when this Bill
can be introduced, as I have made clear. I want to see it. I am
not dodging the matter. There is a consensus between us on this.
I want to see it introduced quickly. We have no desire to hold
it up, we were one of the first and leading countries to press
for this policy and we want to see it implemented.
143. I am sorry, is the Government's policy
to try and introduce this Bill in this session of Parliament?
(Mr Hain) The Government's policy is to try and introduce
it as soon as possible, that is why we are publishing it in this
session of Parliament. We could all help around this table and
in respect of the membership of the different parties which we
hold to get an early consensus on this.
144. Minister, you obviously clearly must appreciate
the crucial importance of this.
(Mr Hain) I do.
145. Given the electoral timetable, this is
possibly going to be the last full session and there is a serious
risk that if the Bill is not introduced and able to complete its
stages in this session, the Bill, even if it is introduced relatively
early in the next session, could conceivably be lost. This is
why this Committee, I am sure, wishes to press you on this. Of
course, we understand there is a business management dimension,
we understand that totally, but is the Government in terms of
the priorities it attaches to it doing everything it can to try
to introduce it in this session?
(Mr Hain) It is not often, Mr Chairman, that ministers
welcome pressure from Committees and Committee members. I am straining
at the leash to get this Bill on the statute book as soon as possible
and that is the Foreign Office's position. I know the Government
as a whole wants to see that happen.
Dr Starkey
146. Can I urge you, Minister, to explore with
the business managers the possibility if this Bill turns out to
be non-contentious of the use of the alternative chamber in getting
it through? Contested votes are not allowed there but it could
be used to get through legislation if there are no contested votes.
(Mr Hain) That, clearly, is one of the options and
we are exploring all options and your support in helping us progress
this matter is much appreciated.
Chairman
147. Minister, we have kept you in the field
for a long time. We have made criticisms of details of policy
but you can rest assured that this Committee, as indeed do the
non-governmental organisations who are acting in the field, has
given a warm welcome to the fact of the publication of the two
Annual Reports on Human Rights, and may I say that some of us
can see behind that FCO facade a human rights activist dying to
burst forth.
(Mr Hain) Thank you very much! Thank you, Mr Chairman.
May I say I have enjoyed my appearance in front of you.
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