§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what legal costs were incurred by the United Kingdom Government in defence of the actions taken by the European Commission over the bathing water directive, July 1993 and the drinking water directive, November 1992.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe disbursements incurred on behalf of the United Kingdom in connection with the proceedings taken by the European Commission in the European Court of Justice concerning the bathing water directive, case C56/90, and the drinking water directive, case C337/89, were about £35,000. This figure includes counsel's fees, VAT, travelling and hotel accommodation, but does not otherwise include the costs of staff in the Treasury Solicitor's Department or of lawyers in the Department of the Environment who provided legal services and advised within the normal course of their duties.