Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Bill of Rights

Tuesday 10 January 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government plans to reform human rights by introducing a Bill of Rights.
  • The Human Rights Act has been credited with securing an inquiry into patient safety at Mid Staffs and enabling victims to hold the police accountable.
  • The Minister disputes the claim that the Human Rights Act was the cause behind uncovering the Mid Staffordshire situation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Standards & Ethics
Context

The Human Rights Act is under review by the government. The MP seeks clarification on the status of a potential Bill of Rights to replace it.

Question

Whether he plans to replace the Human Rights Act 1998 with a Bill of Rights.

Answer from Dominic Raab

The Government were elected with a manifesto to reform human rights. We have published the Bill of Rights, and we will bring it forward for Second Reading as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address whether the Human Rights Act would be replaced or provide specifics on timeline beyond 'as parliamentary time allows'.

How: Under Review, Parliamentary Time

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Q2 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP is concerned about the implications of replacing the Human Rights Act with a Bill of Rights, citing examples where the former has protected rights and facilitated justice. She notes public opposition to this change.

Question

The Human Rights Act, which protects so many of our freedoms and basic rights and our access to justice, helped secure an inquiry into patient safety for families at Mid Staffs and empowered victims of the black cab rapist to ensure that the police were held to account when those crimes were not properly investigated. My constituents, the Secretary of State's constituents and the wider public do not want the Human Rights Act to be ripped up. Is not the truth that, yet again, his shameful pet project to do so and replace it with a Bill of Rights has been shelved by the Prime Minister?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I thank the hon. Lady for at least giving me the opportunity to rebut some of the myths that are flying around. The truth is that the terrible situation at Mid Staffordshire was not brought to light as a result of a case under the Human Rights Act. It was the result of questions raised, campaigns and issues raised by hon. Members in this House. Of course, nothing in the Bill of Rights would affect any of the important expectations that people such as victims and patients have. What it will do is strengthen free speech and help us to deport more foreign offenders. She should get behind it.

Not addressed: Did not confirm or deny whether the proposal has been shelved.

How: Rebut Myths, Shelved

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