Letter: Cost of inquiries

MSPs expressed misgivings about the apparently spiralling cost of publicly funded inquiries, such as the current one headed by Lord Penrose (your report, 9 May).

The cost of such inquiries is a legitimate concern. However, there are ways in which the expense of current and any future inquiries might be reduced.

One possibility is to hold a formal legal “taxation” of parties’ legal fees and outlays at the end of an inquiry, where lawyers’ costs are scrutinised and can be challenged if necessary.

This would be best done with clear public accountability as to which firms and lawyers have received what public funds and in payment for what work.

Another possibility is to have lawyers agree “fixed fees” in advance so we all know what the eventual likely cost will be from the outset.

The first option has the potential virtue of not precluding lawyers from being asked honourably to repay sums received if the public funding in any given inquiry appears to have been over generously meted out.

It can be used even now in relation to current inquiries, one trusts, if necessary. The second option may be the way ahead for the future, however.

ANGUS LOGAN WS

York Road

North Berwick