§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he can make of the total cost of the inquiry into the Piper Alpha disaster chaired by Ford Cullen; and what will be the costs met by the Scottish Office.
Mr. RikindThe public inquiry into the Piper Alpha disaster was established by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy, whose Department spent £1.05 million in 1988–89 on setting up and running the inquiry. In 1989–90 the best estimate of the costs of the inquiry is £2.7 million, although the precise figure will depend on how long it lasts. It is not yet possible to estimate any further costs which may be involved in the completion of the report.
The only costs being met by my Department are those associated with providing legal advice and counsel to the Department of Energy. In 1988–89 these amounted to approximately £0.1 million and the best estimate for 1989–90 is £0.3 million.