HL Deb 13 October 2003 vol 653 cc89-90WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which Northern Ireland departments sought legal advice since 12 October 2002; on what dates the advice was sought; and on what issues. [HL4382]

Baroness Amos

Government departments frequently seek legal advice on matters relating to the discharge of their functions. Apart from the fact that the cost of answering this question would be excessive, it would not be appropriate to disclose the dates and issues on which legal advice was sought, as such disclosure could compromise its confidentiality.

Legal advice is exempt from disclosure under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, a copy of which is available in the Library. To disclose the dates and issues on which legal advice was taken could compromise the important principle of privilege for legal advice. Apart from that, it would simply not be feasible to identify, across 11 Northern Ireland departments, each occasion and issue on which advice was sought.