§ Mr. Lambornasked the Secretary of State for Transport what costs have been incurred by his Department in defending court actions by objectors in connection with the M25; how much of his Department's costs have been recovered from objectors whose cases have been dismissed; and whether it is his policy not to seek to recover costs where actions have been successful.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFull details of the cost of defending all the actions on the M25 are not readily available. The costs of counsel and Treasury Solicitor's department in the Al2–13, Wisley-Leatherhead and Leatherhead Interchange (High Court) actions, together with counsel's fees for the first Green Lane to Sturts Lane action have, however, been assessed at about £6,600; and £1,820 has so far been recovered from unsuccessful litigants. The decision whether to seek costs depends upon the circumstances of the particular case, but it is our normal policy to do so.