§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health on what grounds his Department will pay the libel costs of the defendants in the Kirby-Harris libel case. [14661]
§ Mr. MaloneThe Department agreed to make an ex-gratia payment towards the legal costs of the parties on the grounds that bringing the proceedings to an end before further costs were incurred represented the best value for money. This decision was based on legal advice that very substantial costs, in excess of the costs paid, might fall to be paid by the Cornwall Healthcare NHS Trust out or resources which should be used for the health-care of the people of Cornwall.