§ 36. Mr. CASSELasked whether any decision has yet been come to as to the course to be pursued with reference to the decision of the High Court in the case of Bowles v. The Bank of England; what were the costs incurred by the Crown in this case; and whether any opinion was obtained that the Crown had a reasonable chance of success?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply which I gave him on the 6th November last on the matter raised in the first part of the question, and as regards the last part to the answers which were given to the hon. Member for Dudley by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General on the 18th November last and by myself on the 19th of the same month. The total amount of costs incurred by the Crown (including those incurred by the Bank of England) cannot at present be precisely stated, but they will amount approximately to £572, exclusive of Mr. Bowles' costs, the amount of which has not yet been definitely ascertained.
§ Mr. CASSELHas any decision been come to as to the course to be taken in view of this decision?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI think I announced the decision of the Government on the date to which I have referred.
§ Mr. CASSELIs it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman then told me that he was not in a position to make any announcement?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI do not think so.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLIs it in order to ask a Minister whether he has acted on the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown? I base that question on the fact that the Minister only is responsible, and that we have not been able to discuss the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown in Committee of Supply.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is better to raise points of order at the conclusion of questions.