HC Deb 19 December 2000 vol 360 c150W
Mr. Baker

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will place in the Library a detailed account of the Commission's approach to the defence case pursued in the Harmonv. House of Commons Corporate Officer case. [142133]

Mr. Kirkwood

[holding answer 13 December 2000]Throughout the case of Harmonv. The House of Commons Corporate Officer, the Commission has defended the House's position vigorously, guided in its decision taking by high level legal advice. When it became clear that even if finally successful the House would recover nothing in the damages action because of Harmon' s insolvency, and in the face of mounting legal costs, the Commission settled out of court as I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mrs. Roe) on 2 November 2000, Official Report, column 575W.