§ 55 and 56. Mr. Wiggasked the Attorney-General (1) if he will state the number of briefs allocated to him by his predecessors from 1945 up to the date of his taking office and the amount fees received by him in respect of such briefs; and if he will give the same information in respect of hon. and right hon. Members who at present hold Ministerial appointments;
(2) if he will state the names of hon. Members who have received legal fees in respect of briefs allocated by him and his predecessors during such periods as the information is readily available; and if he will state the fees paid in respect of such briefs.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo. My predecessors and I have nominated Members of Parliament to conduct cases on behalf of the Crown and fees have been paid to those Members by the Government Departments instructing them. I do not think it desirable to publish the names of those nominated. I may say that in deciding whom to nominate I have regard only to the nature of the case and the skill and experience of counsel. Fees are neither fixed nor paid by me and no record of them is kept by my Department.