To ask the Solicitor-General how much purchasing advocacy services from (a) self-employed barristers and (b) in-house services cost in 2005-06. (115666)

In 2005-06 the Law Officers’ Departments spent the following amounts on preparation and presentation in the Crown court and higher courts.

The Treasury Solicitor’s Department (TSol), spent some £14 million on civil advocacy services, most of which is recovered from other Departments, which instructed TSol. It is not possible separately to identify the cost of the small amount of advocacy done by in-house TSol barristers.