§ 28. Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Attorney-General what methods are available to alter the law and procedures for overcoming public interest immunity.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe law and procedures relating to public interest immunity are continually being developed by the courts. It is also open to Parliament to legislate on the subject.
§ Mr. BottomleyCan my right hon. and learned Friend recollect any suggestion from the media or any Opposition party in the past two or three years for a change in the law or the procedures of public interest immunity certificates? If he cannot recollect any such suggestion—I certainly cannot—does not he think that they are merely trying to exploit a situation in which the law has been laid down by judges in court and duly followed?
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy hon. Friend is entirely right to say that the law in this sphere is the common law laid down by the high judiciary in the courts. I cannot recall any constructive observation from the Opposition at all.