Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) 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; [8747]
(2) 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. [8754]
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 15 January 1996]: The value of legal services charged by the Treasury Solicitor's Department, with accounts settled to date from public funds for the provision of external legal services incurred on behalf of Ministers, ex-Ministers and civil servants of my Department in connection with the Scott inquiry is £293,870. 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's 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.