Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Wednesday, 29 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 February 2003. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Thursday, 13 February 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy not to enforce her Department's claim for costs against Janet Hughes of Churchstoke, Montgomery. - (Holding answer 3 February 2003).

Answer: Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy not to enforce her Department's claim for costs against Janet Hughes of Churchstoke, Montgomery. [95340] Margaret Beckett :[holding answer 3 February 2003]: Janet Hughes was ordered by the Court to pay Defra's legal costs following an unsuccessful judicial review claim. The Department has a responsibility to protect public expenditure. The possibility of having to pay costs for unsuccessful litigation is something of which Ms Hughes should have been made fully aware by her legal advisers at the time. My Department gave her a number of opportunities to put forward payment proposals, which she has refused to do until now. I am considering the proposal she has now made.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 95340; 399 c884W;399 c880W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Courts Disease control Foot and mouth disease Legal costs Sheep North Wales Hughes, Janet
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk