§ Llew SmithTo ask the Solicitor-General, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) of 5 November 2001,Official Report, column 1W, on cluster bombs, if she will make it her policy to change the convention covering advice given by the Law Officers; and if she will set out the reasons for the current policy of non disclosure of Law Officers' advice. [14691]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralBritish Council Of>: The Ministerial Code provides that the fact and content of advice given by the Law Officers, either individually or collectively, must not be disclosed outside Government without their authority. This long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, protects the confidentiality of the legal advice given to the Government. There are no plans to change Government policy on this matter but we keep under continuing review all arrangements relating to our work.