§ Lord Denningasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, by constitutional and administrative law, it is proper or permissible for the Hampshire County Council (presumably with the authority of the Secretary of State for the Environment) to issue a circular numbered 4/2/N104/2/88 telling the public what the law is, entitled When is a RUPP not a RUPP—when it's a BOAT, at any rate when the law is stated wrongly in the circular.
§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Baroness Blatch)It is not for local authorities to seek to interpret the law: that is a matter for the courts. However guidance on how they are applying the law can often be helpful to the general public. As independent bodies, they are individually responsible for any such guidance they choose to issue.