§ Mr. Trotterasked the Attorney-General what is the cost to public funds of the recent action brought by the Government aimed at preventing the publication of the Crossman diaries; and how much of this total related to the costs of the defence.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI regret that the information is not yet available. The parties' bills of costs have not yet been prepared. Unless the amounts can be agreed, the defendants' solicitors' bills must be lodged with the Supreme Court Taxing Office for taxation, and this procedure would not normally be completed for several months.
I shall let the hon. Member have a full reply as soon as possible.