§ Mr. MarlowTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the case of Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein and the European Court of Justice; what United Kingdom public expenditure this has entailed to date; what estimate he has made of the potential future expenditure from public funds; and in what circumstances and under whose authority public funds are allocated in respect of this case.
Mr. John M. TaylorLegal aid has been granted to Mr. Adams in support of his application for a judicial review of the Home Secretary's decision excluding him from entering Great Britain under the prevention of terrorism Act. The matter has now been referred by the High Court to the European Court of Justice for an interpretation of the relevant European Union law. Where a reference is made by the High Court to the European Court of Justice, legal aid automatically covers work done for the European Court of Justice element of the case.
To date, a total of £9,234 has been paid on account from the legal aid fund. No estimate has been made of the final cost to legal aid, nor do I consider it appropriate to speculate as to what the final cost might be.
In dealing with his application for legal aid, Mr. Adams was assessed on the same means and merits criteria as any other applicant for legal aid, in accordance with the appropriate regulations.