Enhancing Parliament's role in relation to human rights judgments - Human Rights Joint Committee Contents


Letter from the Chair of the Committee to Rt Hon Michael Wills MP, Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, dated 3 March 2010

Security of Tenure for Gypsies and Travellers (Connors v UK)

  The Joint Committee on Human Rights is continuing its practice of reviewing the Government's response to the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

  In our past three reports on this issue, we considered the Government's response to the decision in Connors v UK that the lack of security of tenure offered to gypsy and traveller communities in England and Wales was incompatible with right to respect for home, private and family life guaranteed by Article 8 ECHR. In our first two reports, we regretted the Government's delay in respect of this judgment, which was delivered in 2004. In our last report, and in our report on the Housing and Regeneration Bill, we welcomed the introduction of Section 319, Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, which would extend the application of the Mobile Homes Act 1984 to gypsy and traveller sites, as an effective remedy.

  In your letter to us dated 30 September 2009 you said that this provision will "complete the implementation of this judgment" and that "the order bringing this provision into force in England is expected to be laid before Parliament in the autumn."

  It has been drawn to our attention that Section 318 has not yet been brought into force and that the Government has indicated that it will not now be brought into force before the General Election because there is insufficient parliamentary time.

  I would be grateful if you could explain:

    (a) Whether the Government intends to bring Section 318, Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 into force before the end of this Parliament?

    (b) If so, when the Government intends to introduce the relevant order.

    (c) If not, please provide a full explanation of the Government's reasons for delay in this case, including why a statutory instrument which is necessary in order to complete the implementation of a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights is not regarded by the Government as a priority.





 
previous page contents

House of Lords home page Parliament home page House of Commons home page search page enquiries index

© Parliamentary copyright 2010
Prepared 26 March 2010