§ 27. Mr. WinnickTo ask the Attorney-General what steps he takes to preserve the confidentiality of his advice to Ministers and others.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe rule is so well known and observed that I find no such steps are necessary.
§ Mr. WinnickI notice that the Attorney-General smiles. Given the remarks of Sir Leon Brittan, is it not now clear that there would have been no leak of the letter which the right hon. and learned Gentleman wrote as Solicitor-General had not "express approval"—I am using the recent words of Sir Leon Brittan—been given by the Prime Minister's chief press secretary and political secretary? In view of the Attorney-General's reply to my main question, did not he feel very much let down by the way in which the No. 10 Downing street staff behaved? How can he be reassured tht such behaviour will not occur again?
§ Mr. Tony BanksThe right hon. and learned Gentleman was sandbagged.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt would need rather a large sandbag.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt would need an even larger handbag.
This is well ploughed ground and I have no intention of adding to its now very distant yield.