§ Lord Spensasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the total costs to date of the prosecuting authorities (including the Serious Fraud Office, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Home Office and the Law Officers) involved in R v. Kevin Maxwell and Others and also the estimated cost to the conclusion of these trials.
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)The total expenditure by the Serious Fraud Office on the investigation and prosecution of the Maxwell case from its commencement in 1991 until 31 January 1995 is approximately £8.9 million. This figure includes the costs of SFO accountants, lawyers and support staff as well as the disbursements in relation to counsel, accountants and other investigation and prosecution expenditure. It does not include expenditure by the police service.
Neither the Home Office nor the Department of Trade and Industry nor the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers are prosecuting authorities in relation to this matter.
The future costs of this case will depend on the length and nature of the trial or trials.