Written Question
Thursday 26th January 2023
Asked by:
Lord Howard of Rising (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 29 November (HL3547) concerning the legal opinion by Lord Pannick published by the Government on 2 September, whether professional legal privilege was waived in relation to the (1) commissioning, and (2) intended publication, of the (a) first, and (b) second, legal opinion by Lord Pannick; and whether any waiving of legal privilege has any implications for (i) their policy of not commenting on legal advice, or (ii) their publishing obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe
- Shadow Minister (Treasury)
Legal professional privilege was waived to the extent necessary to allow publication of Lord Pannick’s legal opinion on 2 September 2022. As set out in HL354, given the exceptional circumstances, the Government at the time determined it was in the public interest for Lord Pannick’s legal opinion to be published. It remains the case that the Government does not comment on legal advice that may or may not have been sought or received. This is in line with the long-standing policy under successive administrations.
The government’s obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 remain unchanged. Every request made under the Act is considered on a case by case basis.
Written Question
Tuesday 29th November 2022
Asked by:
Lord Howard of Rising (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the legal opinion by Lord Pannick published by the Government on 2 September relating to the House of Commons Privileges Committee, what plans they have, if any, to publish any second or supplementary opinion by Lord Pannick.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe
- Shadow Minister (Treasury)
Notwithstanding that in the exceptional circumstances the Government at the time determined it was in the public interest for Lord Pannick’s legal opinion to be published, it remains the case that the Government does not comment on legal advice that may or may not have been sought or received. This is in line with the long-standing policy under successive administrations.
Written Question
Tuesday 29th November 2022
Asked by:
Lord Howard of Rising (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the legal opinion by Lord Pannick published by the Government on 2 September relating to the House of Commons Privileges Committee, whether any supplementary opinion has been provided to the Government by Lord Pannick.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe
- Shadow Minister (Treasury)
Notwithstanding that in the exceptional circumstances the Government at the time determined it was in the public interest for Lord Pannick’s legal opinion to be published, it remains the case that the Government does not comment on legal advice that may or may not have been sought or received. This is in line with the long-standing policy under successive administrations.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 10 Oct 2022
Economy: The Growth Plan 2022
"My Lords, I find it difficult to understand the fuss over the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s plan for growth. With the start of money printing in 2008, inflation and the higher interest rates were built into the system before there was a Conservative Government. The 40% rate of tax was …..."Lord Howard of Rising - View Speech
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Speech in Grand Committee - Thu 03 Mar 2022
Peerages: Recommendations
"My Lords, one of the glories of this House is the wide range and diversity of its Members. If you wished to divide them up into categories, you would find that difficult. There are all sorts of opinions and views, and hurrah for that.
I recall, when I was on …..."Lord Howard of Rising - View Speech
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Speech in Grand Committee - Thu 03 Mar 2022
Peerages: Recommendations
"Well, I think he did. He said—the noble Lord will enjoy this:
“To anyone from the private sector, who, God forbid, has convictions, and is thinking of applying for a public appointment, I say the following: the civil service will control (and leak) everything; the process could take a year …..."Lord Howard of Rising - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 09 Feb 2022
Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill
"My Lords, I must also apologise for not being here in Committee, although I have followed your Lordships’ arguments with great interest.
One point is abundantly clear to me: the idea of not using the royal prerogative to call for an election is, at its very best, curious. The concept …..."Lord Howard of Rising - View Speech
View all Lord Howard of Rising (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 18 Nov 2021
Ireland/Northern Ireland: Solid Fuels
"Can the Minister say whether the discussion and fuss over fuel is merely an example of Mr Castex’s call for aggressive action against the United Kingdom?..."Lord Howard of Rising - View Speech
View all Lord Howard of Rising (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Ireland/Northern Ireland: Solid Fuels
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 29 Jun 2021
Security of Ministers’ Offices and Communications
"My Lords, I make no comment on Matthew Hancock, but what happened to him raises questions. Is the recent filming of the Secretary of State for Health in his office part of a systematic intrusion into ministerial offices? Is it appropriate to have cameras in the offices of a Secretary …..."Lord Howard of Rising - View Speech
View all Lord Howard of Rising (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Security of Ministers’ Offices and Communications
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 25 Mar 2021
Northern Ireland and Great Britain: Trade
"My Lords, by its recent actions the European Union has shown that it respects the Belfast agreement only when it suits it. The actions of the European Union on 29 January surprised and shocked all those who understand the importance of the peace process. How does the Minister propose to …..."Lord Howard of Rising - View Speech
View all Lord Howard of Rising (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland and Great Britain: Trade