§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the legal advice which he has received in respect of any potential conflicts of interest arising from his roles as 65W Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Minister with responsibility for the New Millennium Experience Company. [61987]
§ Mr. Mandelson[holding answer 1 December 1998]: No. Legal advice of this nature attracts legal professional privilege, and as such is exempt from disclosure under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he sought the advice of his Permanent Secretary at the Department of Trade and Industry about potential conflicts of interest arising from his position as Secretary of State and as the sponsoring Minister of the New Millennium Experience Company; and what advice he received. [61996]
§ Mr. Mandelson[holding answer 1 December 1998]: Under normal Departmental procedures I received guidance on handling conflicts of interest in relation to decisions on competition cases on my appointment as Secretary of State. I received further advice in respect of competition issues involving sponsors of the Millennium Dome shortly afterwards. Following discussions with the Permanent Secretary and other officials, I announced on 6 August that I was satisfied that in relation to the British Airways/American Airlines alliance I could exercise my responsibilities properly. I also announced that I would consider any further competition cases involving companies associated with the Dome with similar care and would stand aside if I could not act, and be seen to act, fairly and impartially.