Written question asked by Robin Cook (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 February 1997. It was answered by Jeremy Hanley (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 February 1997 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: If he will provide a breakdown of the spending by his Department on external advice in relation to the Scott Inquiry, indicating how much has been spent on legal advice and from whom it was obtained. - Inc figs.

Answer: Mr. Robin Cook: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the spending by his Department on external advice in relation to the Scott inquiry, indicating how much has been spent on legal advice and from whom it was obtained. [14537] Mr. Hanley: The amount spent by this Department on legal advice in relation to giving evidence to the Scott inquiry and the preparation of the Government's response to it was £414,567.03. This figure includes £228,446.03, representing the value of legal services charged by the Treasury Solicitor's Department. External legal advice was obtained from Messrs Smith Bernal Reporting Ltd., Messrs Barlow Lyde and Gilbert, and Messrs Allen and Overy.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 14537; 289 c659-60W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Expenditure Government departments Legal opinion Foreign and Commonwealth Office Arms to Iraq Inquiry
Contains statistics: Yes