Written question asked by David Hinchliffe (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 June 1997. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 June 1997 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: What estimate he has made of the legal costs to date incurred by his Department and the Treasury Solicitor acting on behalf of the Medical Research Council, indicating separately disbursements and counsel fees, of the defence from claims brought against his Department and the Medical Research Council in respect of Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease litigation.

Answer: Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the legal costs to date incurred by his Department and the Treasury Solicitor acting on behalf of the Medical Research Council, indicating separately disbursements and counsel fees, of the defence from claims brought against his Department and the Medical Research Council in respect of Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease litigation. [5111] Ms Jowell: Identifiable legal costs to the Department of Health to date are approximately £500,000. These figures do not include the legal costs of the plaintiffs who were successful in their legal action in April-May 1996, since claims have not been received. Counsel costs are £320,000 and disbursements are £130,000. In addition, numerous staff at various levels and for various periods of time have been involved in matters related to the litigation and their costs cannot be separately identified. For the details of the costs incurred by the Treasury Solicitor on behalf of the Medical Research Council, I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5111; 296 c539W;296 c541W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Compensation Civil proceedings Legal costs Personal injury Department of Health CJD Medical Research Council
Contains statistics: Yes