§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the costs to the Government so far of the case brought by IATA against the UK Government concerning the implementation of EC regulation 2027/97; if he will estimate the likely total cost to the UK taxpayer; and how long he estimates the case will take to resolve. [62946]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAt the preliminary hearing in the High Court in November, the judge refused IATA's request for an immediate reference of the matter to the European Court of Justice and awarded costs to the Secretary of State. A further hearing has been scheduled for February 1999, at which the substance of IATA's case will be considered, but it is not possible to predict the total cost to the Government of the action since this will depend on the length of the judicial process in reaching a decision and whether the Government are again awarded costs in the event of a successful defence. A reference to the European Court of Justice, which would result in a protraction of matters, cannot be excluded.