Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Monday, 12 January 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 January 1998. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 January 1998 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his Answer 303 c397W, 22 December 1997, if he will take steps to recover from Jonathan Aitken the full costs of laying on the trial arising from the libel action he brought against the Guardian newspaper;

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 December 1997, Official Report, column 397, if he will take steps to recover from Jonathan Aitken the full costs of laying on the trial arising from the libel action he brought against The Guardian newspaper; and if he will make a statement. [23036] Mr. Hoon: I have no powers to take steps to recover from Jonathan Aitken the full costs of laying on the trial. The appropriate court fee was paid as required under the Supreme Court Fees Order 1980 (as amended).

Secondary information