CONFIDENTIAL
(b)
Reference to the Law Officers. I assume that
this is envisaged on the grounds that the Bill
would fall within para. 5(b)(i) and 5(d) of pages
12 and 13 of Vol. II of "Diplomatic Service
Procedure". If so, I would agree. But I assume
that, if Ministers were inclined to accept the
Governor's proposal, any reference to the law
officers would be so drafted as to make it clear
that Ministers accepted the balance of advantage
lay in accepting the Governor's proposal and
that the object of reference to the law officers
would be to confirm that against this political
decision they were prepared to support Ministers'
views in the event of subsequent criticism in
this country. Could you or Sir James McPetrie
confirm that this understanding is correct; or,
if it is not, advise on what we should say to
Ministers to explain why and on what basis the
matter is being put to the Law Officers.
повторит
(L. Monson)
14 July,1970
CONFIDENTIAL