§ 25. Sir J. D. REESasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that the most recent legal decision on the point was given upwards of half a century ago, the Government can give the mercantile community any leading, or the opinion of its Law Officers, on the question whether contracts with alien enemies are cancelled, or only suspended, by the outbreak of War?
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLOn a point of Order. May I draw your attention, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, to the fact that this question violates three or four rules of order? First, it invites an expression of opinion which is disorderly, and then it invites an expression of opinion as to an abstract legal question, which is disorderly, and then it invites the right hon. Gentleman the Attorney-General to say what he can do in certain circumstances when he might be counsel for the Government; and there is an attempt to influence the Judicial Courts by the opinion of the Executive.
§ Sir J. D. REESOn the point of Order. May I submit to you that I sought the opinion of the Attorney-General, and not the opinion of the hon. and learned Gentleman?
§ Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERWith regard to the question put by the hon. and learned Gentleman, it is accurate. In ordinary circumstances, it is not in order to ask the Law Officers for their opinion.
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir John Simon)I think I can give an answer which will not be disorderly. Any difficulty which arises in answering the ques- 937 tion to which the hon. Member refers is not due to any doubt as to the principle to be applied, but to the complexities of each individual case. Consequently, a general statement, even if it were universally accepted as authoritative, would not provide a solution, and individuals will find that the only practicable course is to seek competent private advice on the circumstances of their own case.