§ 37. Mr. Dalyellasked the Attorney-General if he was consulted prior to the decision to send the Solicitor-General's letter of 6 January 1986 to the then Secretary of State for Defence, the right hon. Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine) relating to the legal position of Westland.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Michael Havers)It is not my usual practice to disclose what communications take place between my right hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General arid myself in relation to legal advice tendered to the Government.
§ Mr. DalyellSurely the usual practice is that Law Officers' letters are treated with extreme discretion and most gingerly by the Downing street machine. Why did the Solicitor-General's letter ever go near Mr. Ingham and the press office, unless there was a Prime Ministerial instruction that it was to be leaked?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am quite certain that there was no such instruction.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorIf there is to be a new political saga over the Westland affair, will the Attorney-General do all in his power to bear in mind that the company is now doing extremely well, is getting plenty of orders and has a very bright future? Therefore, will he do everything he can to make sure that Westland is allowed to get on with the job?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThat is not a matter for me, but I welcome what my hon. Friend has said.
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownThe report of the Select Committee on Defence into this matter is due for publication on Thursday week — just in time for the recess. Has the Attorney-General seen an advance copy of that report, and does he anticipate at least the possibility of prosecutions arising from the report's findings?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have not seen the report.
§ Mr. DalyellOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the nature of that reply, I give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.