§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Attorney-General if he will now make it his policy to answer parliamentary questions about advice sought from or given by him concerning the lawfulness of actions taken by Ministers in relation to nationalised industries; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThere is a well established convention that advice given by the Law Officers to Ministers is confidential and is disclosed only in exceptional circumstances. I do not propose to depart from that practice.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Attorney-General whether all advice given by him concerning the lawfulness or legal implications of ministerial actions or proposed actions is treated as being covered by the Official Secrets Acts; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe application of the Official Secrets Acts to advice concerning the lawfulness or legal implications of ministerial actions or proposed actions will depend on the facts of an individual case.