§ Mr. RuffleyTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the London solicitors' firms that have performed services for his Department (i) since 1 May 1997 and (ii) in the equivalent period preceding that date, indicating the remuneration paid in each particular case. [70006]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 8 February 1999]The Lord Chancellor's Department may use firms of solicitors in addition to the Treasury Solicitor and their departmental legal advisers, 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. London solicitors' firms have been used for advice on the drafting and negotiation of contracts let under the private finance initiative:
- (i) Since 1 May 1997 services have been performed by Denton Hall (remuneration £223,284 to date), Masons (£228,111 to date) and Bird & Bird (£103,926);
- (ii) In the proceeding period services were performed by Masons (remuneration: £119,276).
The Public Trustee and Official Solicitor instruct private solicitors in their representative capacity but to provide details would involve disproportionate cost.