To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the (a) cost and (b) purpose was of legal (i) representation and (ii) advice sought by his Department and its agencies in each year since May 1997. (300334)

The overall legal costs incurred by the Department and its Agency, The Royal Parks, from 2005-06 to 2008-09 are set out in the table.

Information relating to prior years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Legal advice is provided by the Treasury Solicitor’s Department and, where required, by counsel and private sector legal firms. The purpose of the advice is to support the whole range of the Department’s activities, including policy making, the drafting of statutory instruments and the preparation of Bills.