Law Officers Bill [H.L.]

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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Arrangement of Clauses (Contents)

Law Officers Bill [H.L.]

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

    Clause 1 allows the statutory and non-statutory functions of the Attorney General to be exercised by the Solicitor General. His acts are, under subsection (2), to be treated as those of the Attorney General.

    Section 1 of the Law Officers Act 1944, which allows the Solicitor General to discharge the Attorney General's statutory functions in more limited circumstances, is repealed by the Schedule.

    Clause 2 makes similar provision for Northern Ireland. The clause allows the functions of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland to be exercised by the Solicitor General for England and Wales.

    Subsections (2) and (3) of section 10 of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973, which allow the Solicitor General to discharge the Attorney General's functions in more limited circumstances, are repealed by the Schedule.

    Clause 3 provides a short title and deals with commencement and extent. It also repeals the enactments listed in the Schedule. These include enactments which specifically confer powers on the Solicitor General, and which are made unnecessary by the general powers conferred by Clauses 1 and 2.

    The Bill will have no effect on public expenditure or public service manpower.

Prepared 8 July 1997

Law Officers Bill [H.L.]

	EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
	Clause 1 allows the statutory and non-statutory functions of the Attorney General to be exercised by the Solicitor General. His acts are, under subsection (2), to be treated as those of the Attorney General.
	Section 1 of the Law Officers Act 1944, which allows the Solicitor General to discharge the Attorney General's statutory functions in more limited circumstances, is repealed by the Schedule.
	Clause 2 makes similar provision for Northern Ireland. The clause allows the functions of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland to be exercised by the Solicitor General for England and Wales.
	Subsections (2) and (3) of section 10 of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973, which allow the Solicitor General to discharge the Attorney General's functions in more limited circumstances, are repealed by the Schedule.
	Clause 3 provides a short title and deals with commencement and extent. It also repeals the enactments listed in the Schedule. These include enactments which specifically confer powers on the Solicitor General, and which are made unnecessary by the general powers conferred by Clauses 1 and 2.
	The Bill will have no effect on public expenditure or public service manpower.