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Written question asked by David Winnick (Labour) on Monday, 19 May 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 May 2008. It was answered by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 2 June 2008 on behalf of the House of Commons Commission.

Members: Allowances

Question
To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on the High Court decision in relation to the details of hon. Members' allowances; whether a further appeal is planned against the decision; and how much has been spent on legal and tribunal proceedings in relation to disclosure of hon. Members' allowances since the commencement of the matter.
Answer

The House has decided not to seek leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the judgment of the divisional court of 16 May 2008. The cost of this litigation up to 20 May 2008 is £82,673. This figure includes charges up to that date not yet invoiced to the House of Commons. There may be further charges.The House has been ordered to pay the costs of the other litigants. The final figure is not yet established, but court has ordered payment of an interim figure of £39,363.The breakdown of figures including VAT for other FOI cases related to Members' expenses and allowances charged to the House of Commons as at 30 April 2008 comprise:

£
Treasury solicitor (TSol) legal fees 35,776.99
Disbursements (couriers/travel/counsel's fees) 13,070.32
Total 48,847.00

Although additional charges may be made to these latter accounts, they are unlikely to rise significantly beyond this total. Within these figures, the legal cost of the tribunal case in February 2007 relating to travel expenses has been given as £17,232 as announced in my previous answer on 28 February 2007, Official Report, column 1374W.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
476 c569W; 207071
Session
2007-08
Subjects
Allowances Members
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk