Costs of stopping release of MPs expenses

Dear Mr Walker,

Thank you for your email dated 21 May 2009 which was received by the House
of Commons on 22 May 2009.

We shall endeavour to provide a response by 22 June 2009.

______________________________________________________________________

Katy Turner

Data Protection and Freedom of Information Coordinator

[1][House of Commons request email]

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Dear Mr Walker,

Thank you for your request for information which is copied below.

The following response to a Parliamentary Question provides the information you are seeking

Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 21 May 2009
House of Commons Commission
Freedom of Information

Mr. Winnick: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how much the House of Commons (a) has paid and (b) remains liable to pay in respect of the costs of legal actions concerning freedom of information since the Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into effect. [276329]

Nick Harvey: Legal actions to the end of April 2009 have incurred external costs of £142,838. There are no outstanding liabilities. All internal costs have been absorbed within the cost of running the House Administration and cannot be separately identified.

It is not possible to isolate the costs in terms of invoices/receipts, etc. However, the costs are broken down as follows.

Treasury solicitor (TSol) legal fees £77,752.45
Disbursements (couriers/travel/counsel's fees) £65,085.90

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