§ 40. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to inform the House of the decision of the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether the London County Council are legally entitled to disregard the twice- expressed opinion of Parliament that Waterloo Bridge should not be pulled down?
§ The DEPUTY LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)It is a long-established rule that the opinions of the Law Officers are confidential and must not be disclosed, but I would point out in any case that a decision in the matter can only be pronounced by a court of law.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIn view of the fact that Parliament has on two occasions come to a decision in this matter, is my right hon. Friend aware that the Act under which the London County Council are acting as a highway authority deals only with the reparation of bridges and the widening of bridges, and that it is only when a bridge is wholly incapable of repair that they are entitled to pull it down? Is he aware that they are estopped from alleging that in view of the fact that they proposed this year to recondition it?
§ Mr. BALDWINWith regard to the first point, what the House did, as I 1557 understand it, was to say that unless a certain course was pursued no grant would be allowed on the Vote for the Money Bill. With regard to the latter part, perhaps it may simplify matters at this point if I say that the Government have no intention of proceeding any further in the matter.
§ Mr. WILMOTDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the London County Council are entirely competent as the bridges authority in their own area?
§ Mr. BALDWINThat is not my business.