Written question asked by Gerald Howarth (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 June 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 June 1999. It was answered by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour) on Monday, 14 June 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much money has been spent to date by his Department in financing the legal costs of former members of the Parachute Regiment called to give evidence to the Bloody Sunday inquiry; and what forecast he has made of the total cost. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent to date by his Department in financing the legal costs of former members of the Parachute Regiment called to give evidence to the Bloody Sunday inquiry; and what forecast he has made of the total cost. [86684] Mr. George Robertson: The cost to my Department of financing the legal costs of potential military witnesses at the Inquiry as at the end of April 1999 was £1,144,707.61. Due to the way in which legal assistance is being provided, it is not possible to break out the costs relating to former members of the Parachute Regiment. It is also not possible to estimate the likely final cost.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 86684; 333 c9W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Finance Legal costs Northern Ireland Bloody Sunday Tribunal of Inquiry Parachute Regiment Veterans
Contains statistics: Yes