To ask the Solicitor-General what policies and procedures exist to ensure that the Treasury Solicitor staff do not (a) undertake work for which a solicitor's practising certificate is required and (b) act for those for whom Government lawyers did not act prior to 1974; and what guidance is provided to the Treasury Solicitor's staff about such restrictions on activities.

The information is as follows:

(a) The Treasury Solicitor is bound to act within the law and his Department is organised, and work is undertaken, accordingly.

(b) It is presumed that the reference to 1974 is a reference to the passing of the Solicitors Act of that year, which governs the activities of solicitors. The provisions of that Act are not understood as limiting the activities of the Treasury Solicitor or his Department to acting only for clients existing prior to that date.