Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish the legal advice sought from First Treasury Counsel in relation to the impact of the Trade Union Bill on the devolved administrations of the UK, in particular in relation to Wales; and whether they will place a copy of that advice in the Library of the House.

As noble Lords would expect, the Government has carefully considered a range of legal issues in relation to the Trade Union Bill. The Government does not disclose the content or the source of its legal advice. It is essential to good government that ministers of the day are able to seek and receive legal advice on a confidential basis. To do otherwise might inhibit governments from seeking legal advice in the future.