HC Deb 23 July 1999 vol 335 c731W
Mr. Efford

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the costs of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, including the costs arising from the publication by the Inquiry of the names of the witnesses in Appendix 11 of the Inquiry's report; and if he will make a statement. [93265]

Mr. Straw

The final costs of the Inquiry have yet to be determined as there are outstanding bills for settlement in terms of legal fees. However, the costs incurred to date are:

£
Pay and allowances, inquiry team, advisors and civil servants 667,000
Accommodation and associated costs 710,000
Legal representation and treasury solicitors costs 2,045,000
Miscellaneous running costs 777,000
Total 4,199,000

This provides a total cost to date of £4.199 million. I have accepted the recommendation of Sir William Macpherson, chairman of the Inquiry, that the Metropolitan Police Service should, in accordance with section 49(5) of the Police Act 1996, meet the full costs of setting up and establishing the Inquiry, together with all costs which directly accrued from Part 1 of the Inquiry relating to the police investigation of the murder of Stephen Lawrence. These costs amount to £3.170 million to date of the total costs and these have been met by the Metropolitan Police.

I have also accepted Sir William's recommendation that the costs of Part 2 of the Inquiry, on the future handling of racially motivated crime, should be met by the Home Office as the findings were of more general application.

I have always made clear that we would take steps to remedy the serious problems caused to a number of people by the Inquiry's error in publishing Appendix 11 of the Inquiry's report in full. Arrangements have, therefore, been made to reimburse the costs arising from the need of 18 families and individuals to be moved by Greenwich Council or to sell their houses. The final amount spent for this purpose, including staff costs incurred by the Council, is not yet known but is likely to be about £650,000.