HC Deb 18 July 1988 vol 137 c502W
Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will provide the full text of senior counsel's opinion on all of the questions raised by the Scottish Special Housing Association at the time it sought senior counsel's opinion on several points, including the transfer of houses to new landlords, in 1987;

(2) what was the date on which the Scottish Special Housing Association received the opinion of senior counsel on the subject of tenancy status in relation to the transfer of houses to new landlords;

(3) what was the date in 1987 on which the Scottish Special Housing Association sought the opinion of senior counsel on the subject of tenancy status in relation to the transfer of houses to new landlords;

(4) if he will provide the full text of all questions on which the Scottish Special Housing Association sought the opinion of senior counsel in 1987.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Since these questions raise issues which are for the Scottish Special Housing Association to consider in the first instance and I understand that the Scottish Special Housing Association takes the view that the documents are covered by the privilege given to communications between a legal adviser and his client, it would not be appropriate for me to publish the test of either document.

However, on the basis of information provided by the Scottish Special Housing Association, I understand that the Scottish Special Housing Association submitted a memorial on 16 April 1987 for the opinion of senior counsel on certain management issues, including certain issues relating to tenancy status, arising from the recommendations of the policy review of the association carried out in 1986. Senior counsel replied on 29 April 1987.