§ 41. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister without Portfolio if he is aware that a witness, of whose identity he has been informed, was subpoenaed, and attended court on 19th May, 1965, at considerable inconvenience to himself, and that the attendance fee, which he was informed he would receive, has still not been forwarded to him; and if he will expedite the necessary procedure.
Sir E. FletcherI am aware of this case and understand that the witness has 1089 now been paid his attendance fee. In a civil case a witness must look to the person who subpoenaed him for payment of his fee. There is no relevant procedure that I can expedite.
§ Mr. DribergIs my hon. Friend aware that I am very glad to hear that the witness has been paid, presumably since this Question appeared on the Order Paper? Is he aware that the sum involved was only £3 and that the solicitors who promised to pay it were reminded of it at least half a dozen times? Is there nothing he can do about it?
Sir E. FletcherI am aware of those facts, but I do not think that there is anything. I can do, because responsibility for paying an attendance fee to a witness is the responsibility of the person who subpoenas him. It is not in any sense a Government responsibility.