HC Deb 22 May 1972 vol 837 cc269-70W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will give all the legal costs and those pending settlement incurred by Her Majesty's Government resulting upon action taken in connection with references to the National Industrial Relations Court since the commencement of the Industrial Relations Act.

Mr. Dudley Smith

No figures are yet available.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed list of all solicitors. Queen's Counsel and other barristers, and any other employees, engaged by him on work connected with recent references to the National Industrial Relations Court, giving the number of hours worked or such reference and the amount of pay and salary received by each person, and the total costs to date.

Mr. Dudley Smith

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the applications which my right hon. Friend made to the National Industrial Relations Court for orders under Sections 138 and 141 of the Industrial Relations Act in connection with the railway dispute. In the proceedings arising from these applications my right hon. Friend was represented by my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General, who was assisted by Mr. T. H. Bingham, Q.C., Mr. B. Davenport, and Mr. P. Scott. The detailed information asked for is not readily available and could not be obtained without a disproportionate amount of work.