§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Attorney-General what is the total cost to the taxpayer of arrangements made to protect converted terrorist witnesses prior to the trial of persons charged on the basis of their evidence; and what are the total sums which have been spent, committed or are planned to be spent for the purposes of resettling or protecting converted terrorist witnesses following the outcome of the trials at which they provide evidence.
§ Mr. HurdI have been asked to reply.
It would not be appropriate to give precise details since they might prejudice the security of individuals; but total direct expenditure on the protection of individuals who gave evidence against former accomplices in terrorist organisations in the last seven years amounted to just over £1.3 million. This expenditure is kept at the minimum level consistent with adequate protection of those concerned. Figures for expenditure are not maintained in a form which would permit them to be broken down into pre- and post-trial expenditure without disproportionate cost.