§ Lord Orr-Ewingasked Her Majesty's Government:
What have been the total costs to public funds since 1976 of all fees, consultation, subsistence and related costs incurred by successive Governments in defending unsuccessfully Her Majesty's Government's position in the case brought before the European Court of Human Rights by the three British ex-Railwaymen sacked under Government legislation of 1974 of 1978.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Ferrers)It is not possible to estimate the cost to public funds of the time spent by the Government's Law Officers and officials with respect to this case because the time concerned cannot be distinguished from that spent on other duties. It is estimated that since 1976 subsistence and disbursements, other than the cost of the time of the Government's Law Officers and officials, have amounted to approximately £17,000. This figure includes fees and expenses paid to counsel which it has been the practice of successive Governments not to disclose separately.