HC Deb 09 June 1980 vol 986 cc46-7W
Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a definition of the word "unofficial" when used by his officials in giving written opinions to members of the public as to the meaning of certain laws and when used by Ministers and officials of his Department on official notepaper, as in the letter to the hon. Member for Faversham on 9 May.

Mr. Fox

The use of the word in the context referred to was intended to convey that the opinions offered could not be regarded as having any special authority. It is, of course, for the courts to interpret the law.

Forward to