HC Deb 19 April 2000 vol 348 cc523-4W
Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of what the final cost will be of the Saville inquiry. [117572]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 6 April 2000): The Inquiry currently estimates that the final costs will be in the order of £65 million. That estimate is subject to revision in the light, in particular, of the duration of the hearings and the final determination of those payments to lawyers which are currently being made on an interim basis. The largest single block of expenditure is the lawyers involved in the Inquiry: these are expected to account for about two thirds of the total costs.