Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 13 December 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 December 2007. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 December 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the Government have spent on its own legal (a) advice and (b) representation on the inquest into the service personnel killed in the Hercules crash in Iraq; what future costs have been projected; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The total costs that have been charged to MOD for external legal advice and representation in respect of the inquest into fatalities arising from the Hercules crash in Iraq on 30 January 2005 is £25,414.94. This covers bills up to the end of October. No estimate can be provided for the future costs, as it is not possible to predict with any certainty what further work will be required.The MOD's own in-house legal advisers have also provided assistance in matters relating to preparation for the Hercules inquest. However, this work will have been done as part of their routine duties and cannot separately be costed.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 469 c1458W; 175284
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations
Monday, 14 January 2008
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Iraq Peacekeeping operations
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk