§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 397, if he will take steps to recover from Jonathan Aitken the full costs of laying on the trial arising from the libel action he brought against The Guardian newspaper; and if he will make a statement. [23036]
§ Mr. HoonI have no powers to take steps to recover from Jonathan Aitken the full costs of laying on the trial. The appropriate court fee was paid as required under the Supreme Court Fees Order 1980 (as amended).