§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the location of(a) the administration and secretarial facilities for the Clothier inquiry and (b) Sir Cecil Clothier's office; and what links the administration of the inquiry has with the Trent regional health authority headquarters;
(2) where the Clothier inquiry is to be based; and what funding is to be made available for witnesses and the parents of the victims in respect of their travel expenses, loss of time from work and child minding.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe address of the independent inquiry is:
- Office of Sir Cecil Clothier KCB QC
- c/o Davies Arnold Cooper Solicitors
- 6–8 Bouverie Street
- LONDON
- EC4Y 8DD
The inquiry will be conducted independently of Trent regional health authority. One employee of the RHA has been seconded permanently to the inquiry for its duration, to act as the clerk.
Reasonable expenses incurred by witnesses in assisting the inquiry will be met. Claims for such expenses should be submitted to the clerk for consideration.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made under the present Clothier inquiry in respect of financing legal representation for the parents.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe investigative rather than adversarial nature of the Clothier inquiry means that there is not the need for extensive legal representation of witnesses. If the parents wish to be accompanied to give evidence to the inquiry, by a lawyer or anyone else, additional expenses will be allowed to cover reasonable costs incurred.