§ 26. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the costs to the Crown of the recent Silk trial at Edinburgh up to the date of the sentences; and the total amount of money involved in the frauds?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRThe account of the costs referred to is in course of preparation and will be completed on the conclusion of the Appeals which are now pending. The amount involved in the first charge was £439,348, and in the second charge £362,733.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIs there any minute by which the right hon. Gentleman can tell me the number of persons who had money invested in this business?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRI am afraid I could not give an answer. Certainly I could not without notice.
§ Mr. BUCHANANDoes that figure include only the costs of the Crown? There is no cost of the defence in this £750,000?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRThat is the amount involved in the charge; the cost is nothing like that.
§ Mr. McGOVERNI have put this question on the Paper three or four times. Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of the amount within a reasonable time if I put a question on the Paper again?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRI will let the hon. Member know as soon as I am in a. position to inform him. I cannot do better than that.