David Lammy
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Department for Constitutional Affairs
Selborne House
54-60 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6QW
2 October 2003
HUMAN RIGHTS - IMPROVING PUBLIC SERVICES
I am pleased to write to you in my capacity as Minister for Human Rights, at the Department for Constitutional Affairs. You may be aware of the report on Human Rights launched earlier this week by the Audit Commission, the independent local public services regulator. I enclose a copy of this for you as I would like to reiterate the report's messages that:
Can I urge you to consider carefully whether you have done enough to review your policies and procedures, to raise staff awareness, and above all, to mainstream human rights throughout your organisation? Section 6 of the Human Rights Act places a statutory obligation on you to act compatibly with Convention rights. This is not just for the lawyers.
We will be discussing these matters at a conference on 6 November, run by the Audit Commission jointly with my Department and the British Institute of Human Rights. If you are able, please try to come along (go to www.audit-commission.gov.uk/aboutus/events.asp).
In addition, my Human Rights Unit continues to run a series of awareness-raising roadshows. In the last year we have been to Canterbury, Newcastle, Brighton, Birmingham, Manchester, Exeter, Llandudno, London and are soon to go to Daventry. New dates will shortly be posted on the website (www.humanrights.gov.uk) for Leeds, Sheffield and Leicester. Please take advantage of these. We are also willing to run one-off events if you can put together an audience and a venue.
There is also a wide range of awareness raising free publications that you can obtain through the website, or by contacting the Helpdesk on 0207 210 1437.
DAVID LAMMY