§ Lord Barnettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 10 July (H.L. Deb., col. 9) that the cost of the investigation into the affairs of the Mirror Group was £7.6 million, whether they will provide an analysis of the expenditure to date, including the amounts paid to the two Inspectors. [HL3318]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe costs incurred to date of the inspectors' investigations into the affairs and membership of Mirror Group Newspapers are £1,474,193 in respect of lawyers' fees and expenses and £6,217,465 in respect of accountants' fees and expenses.
The lawyers' fees represent payment to Sir John Thomas, the lawyer inspector, a junior counsel and a QC employed to assist the inspectors. On taking up his judicial appointment in 1996, for which he receives a salary from the public purse, Sir John Thomas has not sought payment in respect of his work on the inspection. The accountants' fees represent payment to Raymond Turner, the accountant inspector, and for professional and administrative support provided to 7WA the inspectors by his firm. Any more detailed analysis of expenditure could only be produced at disproportionate cost.