§ Mr. RuffleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) the London barristers' chambers and (b) the London solicitors' firms that have performed services for his Department (i) since 1 May 1997 and (ii) in the equivalent period preceding that date, indicating the remuneration paid in each particular case. [70025]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 8 February 1999]: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General appointed Philip Sales as First Junior Treasury Counsel (Common Law) and Jonathan Crow as First Junior Counsel (Chancery) to advise and represent the Government in their important civil cases. In addition the Attorney-General maintains at present two London panels of junior counsel from whom the Ministry's Legal Department instructs counsel to assist with its civil litigation. When the Ministry wishes to instruct counsel who are not on the panel, a nomination is obtained from the Attorney-General. The Ministry also obtains such nominations from the Attorney-General in all criminal cases where representation by counsel is necessary.