§ 22 and 23. Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) what he estimates the total cost of the public inquiry into the boundaries of Leicester, commencing on 28th May, will be;
(2) how the cost of the public inquiry into the boundaries of Leicester, commencing on 28th May, will be apportioned between the Exchequer, Leicester city ratepayers and Leicestershire county ratepayers.
Dr. HillThe greater part of the cost of the inquiry will consist of fees paid to counsel by authorities who choose to be so represented. Since these fees are matters for private arrangement, I am not in a position to estimate the overall cost of the inquiry. The general arrangement for such inquiries is that my Department bears its own costs, and the parties appearing at the inquiry bear theirs.
§ Mr. FarrIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are many ratepayers and taxpayers in Leicester and Leicestershire who object to providing this fortnight's paid spree for the legal profession? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Would not my right hon. Friend agree that, as it was the Government's Boundary Commission which in the first place rather like a bull in a china shop 208 initiated these proposals, possibly all the cost of the inquiry should be met from the Exchequer?
Dr. HillWhether an authority is represented by counsel or not is a matter for the authority. Indeed, in three major inquiries recently authorities were not so represented, but if authorities do decide to be so represented I think they should bear the cost.