Rights flow from duties not the other way round. One person s freedom is another person s responsibility. And the Convention and the Act contains many rights which have carefully to be balanced, one with another. A copy of the Parliamentary question and answer is attached. The Human Rights Act received Royal Assent on 9 November 1998.
Some provisions are already in force.
In particular, section 19, which requires a Ministerial statement which makes clear whether the provisions of any Government Bill are compatible with the Convention rights. All public authorities, including the courts, will be under a statutory duty to act compatibly with the Convention rights, unless primary legislation makes that impossible. The Government made it clear from the start that a considerable amount of work has to be done before the Act could be implemented. Courts and tribunals need training to deal confidently with Convention points, and all public authorities not just central and local government need to understand and prepare for the new obligations the Act will place upon them. The Cabinet Office and the Home Office are producing guidance for all administrators and civil service training programmes are underway.