Withdrawal Agreement: Legal Advice Debate

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Department: Attorney General

Withdrawal Agreement: Legal Advice

Simon Hoare Excerpts
Thursday 29th November 2018

(5 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robert Buckland Portrait The Solicitor General
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The right hon. Gentleman asks me to speculate about matters that might not arise. There is no snub to Parliament. It is a wholly confected controversy that actually detracts from the real issues we should be debating and will be looking at next week.

Simon Hoare Portrait Simon Hoare (North Dorset) (Con)
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While the Opposition may wish to play fast and loose with the national interest, does my hon. and learned Friend agree that it would be wholly irresponsible to publish material which could or would damage the national interest?

Robert Buckland Portrait The Solicitor General
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My hon. Friend is right to emphasise the national interest. It is rare for a Law Officer, in this case the Attorney General, to come to the House and make a statement of this nature. We accept that these are exceptionally important, unusual and unprecedented times. That is why he is doing it. Members will have the chance to grill him when he comes.