§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Attorney-General what guidance he has issued to Government Ministers about the implications of the ruling in the case in the House of Lords of Pepper v. Hart about the right of courts to have access to theOfficial Report in seeking to interpret the wording of ambiguous statutes; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralOn 26 November 1992 the House of Lords decided by a majority that courts could look at parliamentary materials if the legislation is ambiguous or obscure or leads to an absurdity; the material that could be relied upon consists of a statement by a Minister or other promoter of the Bill; and the statements relied upon are clear.
6WBy established convention advice given by the Law Officers, and the fact that they have advised, is not normally disclosed.