§ Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums were 418W recovered as legal costs and disbursements by the costs department of the Treasury Solicitor in 1979–80; what is his estimate of the sums saved in respect of legal costs and disbursements awarded against public funds through the operation of that department in that year; and what is his estimate of the comparable sums for the current financial year.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweIn 1979–80 the costs department of the Treasury Solicitor recovered £388,086 in respect of legal costs and disbursements. The direct savings achieved in 1979–80 in respect of bills examined by the costs department were about £130,000. Savings were also achieved by negotiating rates of remuneration in advance for certain work. The department has included in its Estimates a figure of £371,000 for the legal costs and disbursements that will be recovered in 1980–81.