Interpreting the law
Sir,—Certainly Ministries must interpret the law initially. The law on traffic officers stopping drivers for blood-alcohol determinations was interpreted and pronounced on in a direction which was reversed on its first testing in a court of law. Ministers immediately expressed doubts that Parliament had intended the court’s interpretation and suggested that if this held on appeal, that Parliament may be invited to amend the law to their view. It is clear that in this case, Ministers interpreted the law as they wished it to be, and have said that the department will continue to administer it so. It seems that Mr Justice Chilwell has some grounds for bringing Ministers to the law.—Yours, etc., R. A. SMITHAM. March 2, 1978.
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Press, 6 March 1978, Page 16
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122Interpreting the law Press, 6 March 1978, Page 16
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