HC Deb 10 January 1977 vol 923 cc406-7W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report details of: (a) the cost of counsel and (b) the cost of time of his own staff, for road inquiries in 1973, 1974 and 1975.

Mr. William Rodgers

Counsel who appear on behalf of my Department are engaged and paid by the Treasury Solicitor's Department. I am told that the costs, including VAT, in 1973, 1974 and 1975 of counsel instructed by the Crown in regard to road inquiries in England and Wales were about £26,000, £52,000 and £42,000, respectively. I regret that the cost of the time spent by the staff of my Department in connection with trunk road inquiries cannot be separately apportioned.