§ Mr. RuffleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list(a) the London banisters' chambers and (b) the London solicitors' firms that have performed services for her Department (i) since 1 May 1997 and (ii) in the equivalent period preceding that date, indicating the remuneration paid in each particular case. [70034]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe detailed information requested is either the subject of confidentiality or could not be answered on the ground of disproportionate costs (or both).
Departments may use firms of solicitors in addition to the Departmental Solicitors Office and the Crown Solicitors Office, for example, where the relevant expertise lies in the private sector. The relationship is subject to the usual confidentiality which operates between lawyer and client.