Written question asked by Valerie Vaz (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 April 2025 (named day). It was answered by Lucy Rigby (Labour) on Monday, 28 April 2025 on behalf of the Attorney General.

Police: Bills

Question: To ask the Solicitor General, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of making her advice to Cabinet colleagues on the legal implications of bills available to the police.

Answer: The fact that the Law Officers advise on Bills through the government collective agreement process before they are introduced to Parliament is public knowledge. However, on specific matters, the fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised, and the content of their advice, must not be disclosed outside government without their authority. Such authority is rarely given. This principle is known as the Law Officers’ Convention and can be found at paragraphs 21.27 of Erskine May and 5.14 of the Ministerial Code.

Secondary information