§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now reveal the amount of costs in Odium v. Stratton paid to Mr. Odium's solicitors; whether these were a full indemnity to Mr. Odium; what amount of the costs of the action was charged to his Department; what other cost were paid under the indemnity; whether those are the full indemnity costs; and what precautions he proposes to take to avoid similar incidents in future.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsIn answer to the first part of the Question, the costs, which have now been taxed and will shortly be paid, amounted to £4,965 6s. 11d. No indemnity was given to Mr. Odlum. The whole of the costs of the action will be charged to my Department. The costs were taxed in accordance with usual practice on a party and party basis, and consequently, as in all actions, they do not necessarily amount to a full indemnity. In answer to the last part of the Question, committees are, of course, aware that statements should not be made which can be construed as libellous and no doubt the result of this case will make them more careful in future.