§ 56. Mr. THURTLEasked the Home Secretary whether the Cabinet consulted the Law Officers of the Crown on the question as to whether the general strike was illegal and unconstitutional?
§ Captain HACKINGSo far as I am aware, the Law Officers were not formally consulted upon this point.
§ Mr. THURTLECan the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us whether he is fully aware? He says "So far as I am aware." May we take that as being conclusive, or is it that his knowledge is only of a. restricted character?
§ Captain HACKINGThe hon. Gentleman has just the same facilities as I have for listening to Cabinet discussions.
§ Mr. LANSBURYOn behalf of the Government will the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us this afternoon whether the Ministers have any authority at all to say that the general strike was illegal and unconstitutional?
§ Captain HACKINGI have answered the question to the best of my ability. So far as I know, the Law Officers were not formally consulted.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the Under-Secretary aware that at least half a dozen Ministers have declared that the strike was illegal and unconstitutional? What we want to know is, what was their authority for that statement, and whether the Attorney-General has given 'his opinion on the subject?
§ Captain HACKINGI cannot say whether the learned Attorney-General has given any opinion on the subject, but the Law Courts have already given a decision.
§ Mr. LANSBURYThat is not the question which I put to the Under-Secretary. The question was, what authority had Ministers to say that the general strike was unconstitutional? That point was not put to any Judge.
§ Captain HACKINGThe question which I had to answer was whether the Cabinet consulted the Law Officers of the Crown, and I have answered that question.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the Under-Secretary aware that my question was not addressed to him, but to the Home Secretary?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe answer is the official answer of the Home Secretary.
§ Mr. WESTWOODWhy does the Under-Secretary state that he is only in the same position to hear Cabinet discussions as my hon. Friend who put the question, and then answer a question put to the Secretary of State?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe second answer was in reply to a supplementary question.
§ Mr. J. JONESWhen does it become legal for one body of workers to come out on strike and illegal for the great majority to come out on strike?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is another question.