§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by(a) the Treasury, (b) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and (c) the Bank of England relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42080]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryMinisters, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons in(a) the Treasury, (b) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and (c) the Bank of England are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or a full-time basis in relation to 725W the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid. [42048]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThere are no staff in the Treasury wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry. In HM Customs and Excise, there are two staff wholly employed on these matters and their direct salary cost is £36,114 per annum. It is not possible to identify the number of people involved on a part-time or occasional basis, but the amount so far spent by the Treasury on external advice is very small. HM Customs and Excise has so far spent £4,112.50. It is not the practice to name staff or external advisers.
Bank of England staff or consultancy costs would not be public expenditure. I understand that no Bank of England staff are wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry, and the bank has incurred no expenditure on external advice.