HC Deb 15 April 1969 vol 781 c965
15. Mr. Channon

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to public funds of the legal proceedings in Shaw v. Borrett.

Mr. Taverne

A final figure is not yet available, but the identifiable costs are not thought likely to exceed £265.

Mr. Channon

Is the Minister of State aware that my constituent who was involved in this case fought his battle up to the Court of Appeal where, single-handed, he won on a point of law, and that he has been offered by the Inland Revenue for all these hours of labour costs of under £35, and does he think that is fair?

Mr. Taverne

It is true that the gentleman in question lost his case previously and succeeded finally in the Court of Appeal on a different basis of fact than had been accepted for the earlier periods. The scale of costs he is being awarded is entirely normal for such legal proceedings.

Mr. Channon

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg leave to give notice that I will seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.