asked the Attorney-General what was the cost to public funds during the last three financial years of fees paid to counsel for the prosecution instructed by the Director of Public Prosecutions at courts of summary jurisdiction and Crown courts, and formerly courts of quarter sessions and assizes, in London and at such courts outside London, stating in each case in what proportion, if any, this cost was borne by the Director of Public Prosecution's department and the relevant local authority.

The cost to public funds of fees paid to counsel instructed by the Director of Public Prosecutions during the last three financial years is as follows:

1972–73:	£705, 844·15p, of which £678, 336·77p was borne by the Director's department and £27,507·38p was borne by local authorities.
1973–74:	£968,149·20p.
1974–75:	£l,591,376·37p.

In 1973–74 and 1974–75, none of the cost was borne by local authorities, and in 1972–73 less than 4 per cent. In all cases heard since 1st January 1972, these costs have been payable entirely from central funds. An analysis of these figures to distinguish between courts of summary jurisdiction and Crown courts, or between London and provincial courts, could not be provided without disproportionate expense.