§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Attorney-General what is the estimated cost of the prosecution case against Jean Hutchinson and Georgina Smith in which the Greenham Common byelaws were found invalid; what is the estimated cost of the appeal against this decision; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThis prosecution was commenced prior to 1 October 1986 when the Crown Prosecution Service was formed and took over the conduct of the case. The information to assess the costs incurred prior to 1 October is no readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Since 1 October 1986 the legal fees expended to date are approximately £3,600. I am unable to estimate the future costs of the case, which is at present the subject of an appeal.