§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of court proceedings to date in connection with the extradition of Senator Pinochet; and if he will make a statement. [79092]
The Attorney-GeneralI have been asked to reply.
There have been proceedings in Bow Street Magistrates Court, the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court and the House of Lords. These hearings have involved work by lawyers and officials in the Crown Prosecution 706W Service, the Home Office and the Treasury Solicitor's Department as well as counsel instructed for the Spanish Authorities, the Home Office, Senator Pinochet, Amnesty International and the Amicus Curiae.
It is not possible at this stage to provide a detailed estimate of all the cost of court proceedings. However, for costs incurred by the Home Office I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 9 February 1999, Official Report, column 143. Additionally, costs incurred by the Treasury Solicitor's Department in respect of counsel instructed as amicus curiae total approximately £14,000.