§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost so far of undertaking the legal action by the trade union certification officer against the president and secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthThe prosecution was brought by the independent Certification Officer for Trade Unions and Employers' Associations, to whom detailed questions about such matters should be addressed. I understand from the certification officer, however, that the total legal and professional costs arising from the preparation and conduct of the prosecution case are likely to be in the order of £17,000. The costs arising from the preparation and conduct of the defence are not yet known.