Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 November 2003. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 November 2003 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Solicitor-General

Question: To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to her Answer of 23rd October, Official Report, column 693W, on Iraq, what considerations underpinned the decision to override the convention of non-publication of the Law Officers' advice to Government when the Attorney-General published a summary of his advice on 17th March.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to her answer of 23 October, Official Report, column 693W, on Iraq, what considerations underpinned the decision to override the convention of non-publication of the Law Officers' advice to Government when the Attorney-General published a summary of his advice on 17 March. [135627] The Solicitor-General: The Attorney-General's advice was not disclosed. In view of the high level of public interest in this issue, the Attorney-General, exceptionally, made a written statement in Parliament on 17 March 2003, setting out his view of the legal basis for the use of force against Iraq.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 135627; 413 c282W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Disclosure of information Armed conflict Attorney General Iraq Legal opinion International law Law officers Iraq conflict
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk