HC Deb 10 February 1997 vol 290 cc24-5W
Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Prime Minister if he will provide a breakdown of the spending by the Cabinet Office on external advice in relation to the Scott inquiry, indicating how much has been spent on legal advice and from whom it was obtained. [14533]

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 6 February 1997]: No payments have been made by the Cabinet Office for external advice, including legal advice, in relation to the Scott inquiry.

Mr. Cook

To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of salaries since 1992 paid to persons in the Cabinet Office employed on a part-time or full-time basis in any capacity relating to the Scott inquiry. [14532]

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 6 February 1997]: The direct salary cost of officials within the Cabinet Office wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry from December 1992 to September 1996 was approximately £554,500. Since October 1996, no officials within the Cabinet Office have been wholly employed on Scott inquiry-related matters, although some officials have inevitably been involved on an occasional basis as part of their normal duties; the direct salary cost of their involvement is unquantifiable.