§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the decision of the House of Lords in the case of Pepperv. Hart on references to the utterances of Ministers on the contents and intent of Bills during their passage in Parliament, when Acts are subsequently interpreted in the courts.
Mr. John M. TaylorOn 26 November 1992, the House of Lords decided by a majority that courts could look at parliamentary materials if the legislation is ambiguous or obscure or leads to an absurdity; the material that could be relied upon consists of a statement by a Minister or other promoter of the Bill; and the statements relied upon are clear.