§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Ministers, former Ministers or civil servants in his Department have sought independent legal advice in assisting their response to draft extracts from Sir Richard Scott's report; in each case from whom the advice has536W been sought; and what limit has been placed on payment for such advice from public funds. [28388]
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 13 June 1995]: Sir Richard Scott has requested that all those in receipt of extracts from his draft report should hold this material in confidence. The Government are not aware of the identity of all the recipients and, in accordance with the vice-chancellor's request, would not consider it right to disclose the identity of those recipients of whom it is aware.
Apart from legal advice from departmental lawyers, legal services have been provided to witnesses to the inquiry by the Treasury Solicitor's Department and by external lawyers. In each case their costs are subject to the approval of the legal advisers to the Departments who are responsible for payment.