§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 777W 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 8W, on the Saville inquiry, how much of the sums expended after 31 October 1999 were spent under each of the principal sub-headings. [107401]
§ Mr. IngramThe sums expended by the Saville Inquiry between 1 November 1999 and 31 December 1999 (the most recent date for which information is available) break down as follows under the main sub-headings:
Total (£) Salaries 187,893.71 Travel and Subsistence 24,731.22 Accommodation 264,551.82 Payments to banisters and solicitors 1,600,130.84 IT/Communication Costs 39,163.50 Miscellaneous, including general Office Expenditure 47,461.94 Total 2,163,933.03
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the hourly rate paid to(a) solicitors and (b) barristers acting for the families of those persons killed by the Army in Londonderry on 30 January 1972; by what procedures these sums were negotiated and agreed; when they were agreed; how often they are paid; under which estimates budget subheadings provision for these sums falls; and what were the total sums paid to (i) solicitors and (ii) barristers up to 31 December 1999. [107387]
§ Mr. IngramInterim arrangements for the payment of solicitors and barristers acting for the families of those killed on 30 January 1972 have applied since 29 October 1999. The interim rates are as follows—solicitors receive £114 per hour, unqualified personnel £57 per hour, Senior Counsel receive £200 per hour and Junior Counsel £100 per hour. The interim arrangements provide for senior counsel to be paid at the rate of £1,500 per day and Junior Counsel £750 per day. In addition they will be able to claim up to two hours preparatory work per day during the hearing. The Tribunal plans to submit these fees for determination to the Senior Costs Judge later this year, and again when the Tribunal's final report is submitted to the Secretary of State. These arrangements were agreed after consultation between the Inquiry and the Northern Ireland Office. Junior Counsel have challenged these interim arrangements on the grounds that they are entitled to receive two-thirds, not one half, of their senior's rate and are seeking leave to have the matter judicially reviewed.
Payment of these sums is covered by the 1999–2000 Main Supply Estimates and provision falls under the Northern Ireland Office Class XV, Vote 1 within Line K Bloody Sunday (Saville) Inquiry Subhead 2 Other Current Expenditure. Sums are paid monthly after receipt of an invoice. It is not possible to provide a figure for monies paid to solicitors and barristers separately, nor to give a figure for payments for their professional services, separately from their other expenses. The total amount paid out to cover both fees and other expenses up to 31 December 1999 is £7,698,820.