Mr. F. GREENasked the Attorney-General whether any money has been spent from the Naval Prize Fund in fees 586W to counsel and other law costs; and, if so, whether he will state the amount?
§ Sir G. HEWARTWith a very slight qualification the answer is in the negative, and it is deplorable that those who are responsible for making such statements do not take the trouble to ascertain either the plain law or the facts of the matter. In law, as in terms provided by the Naval Prize Act, it is precisely the legal expenses of proceedings in the Prize Court which are not chargeable against the Prize Fund. In fact, the whole of these expenses, which include counsels' fees, are borne by the Vote for Law Charges and fall upon the Exchequer. The only fees to counsel charged against the Prize Fund are those paid for representing the Fleet before the Naval Prize Tribunal. I understand that these fees do not amount to £300.