§ Llew SmithTo ask the Solicitor-General for what reasons it is Government policy never to make public legal advice prepared by the Attorney-General for Ministers. [158111]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThere is a long-standing convention, adhered to by successive governments, and reflected in paragraph 24 of the Ministerial Code, that neither the fact that the Law Officers have advised on a particular matter, nor the substance of any advice they may have given is publicly disclosed. As I explained to the hon. Member in my reply to him of 26 March 2003,Official Report, column 236W, the purpose of the convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence. This is in the public interest so that governments take full and frank legal advice and act in accordance with the rule of law.
6Wtable shows the number of staff employed in the public corporations and executive NDPBs; the advisory and tribunal NDPBs do not employ their own staff.