§ Lord Orr-Ewingasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the total cost to public funds incurred in the United Kingdom and in Europe by successive Governments in defending at the European Court of Human Rights the three railwaymen dismissed under closed shop regulations, and how much compensation was paid to the three railwaymen.
§ The Minister Without Portfolio (Lord Young of Graffham)The three railwaymen received a total of £143,691 by way of compensation and costs.
The Government incurred costs of £17,044 in fees for counsel and associated expenses. This amounts to a total of £160,735. The figure does not include the cost of time spent by the Law Officers and officials because this cannot be distinguished from the time spent on their other duties.
The three railwaymen also received £3,226 from the European Commission of Human Rights' legal aid scheme.