§ 27. Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will specify the legal complexities that have already delayed for 18 months the Welsh Office's reply to Gwynedd County Council on the Snowdon Estate access agreements; whether this issue was placed in the hands of counsel; if so, on what date; and on what date counsel gave his opinion.
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§ Mr. Alec JonesThe legal complexities arose over whether or not the proposed agreements should be revocable and also as to whether provision should be made to vary the terms of the agreements. The issue of arbitration on certain matters was also studied. The foregoing, together with many other related questions, had to be thoroughly examined and a substantive reply on all the points raised was sent to Gwynedd County Council last week. The Department does not normally find it necessary to consult counsel. In this case detailed legal advice has been provided by our legal branch and by the Treasury Solicitor.