Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what legal costs arising from the Scott inquiry have been incurred by his Department on behalf of Ministers and ex-Ministers; and if he will name the individuals concerned; [8755]
(2) what legal costs arising from the Scott inquiry have been incurred by the Department on behalf of current and past (a) civil servants and (b) advisers and secondees. [8746]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe value of legal services charged by the Treasury Solicitor's Department together with accounts settled to date from public funds for the provision of external legal services, incurred on behalf of Ministers, ex-Ministers, civil servants and former civil servants of my Department in connection with the Scott inquiry is £215,862. No legal costs have been incurred on behalf of other advisors or secondees. The cost of any advice in connection with the Scott inquiry given by Government lawyers as part of their normal duties cannot be quantified. It is not the Government's policy to identify the individuals who have received legal advice, either directly or indirectly.