The Official Secretary to the Governor-General sought advice as to whether Bills must be assented to before Parliament dissolves.

The Official Secretary referred to Vol. 24 of Halsbury p. 268 para. 517 which deals with the effect of a prorogation on unsigned Bills. He stated that on the 15th September, 1937, the then Solicitor-General (Mr. Knowles) concurred in the views set out in the paragraph mentioned.¹

The Official Secretary was informed that, although the reasoning underlying the paragraph in Halsbury is not beyond dispute, the principle laid down there should be followed in the absence of any express provision in the Constitution or elsewhere to the contrary.

[Vol. 37, p. 204]

Note: The signature on the original opinion is illegible.

¹ Opinion not published.