Question to the Attorney General:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total cost of the Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union to the Treasury Solicitor’s Department and its associated agencies, broken down by (1) staff time, (2) printing costs, (3) running of engagement events, (4) witness expenses, (5) publicity of the reports, and (6) any and all other associated costs.

As you will be aware, the Balance of Competences Review concluded in December. It was the most comprehensive analysis of the UK’s relationship with the EU ever undertaken. The Review involved a large number of Departments across Whitehall to produce the 32 reports. The Review was based on the evidence and views received through widespread consultation with interested parties from across society. Across the whole review, departments received close to 2,300 evidence submissions. Departments held over 250 events, attended by around 2,100 stakeholders.

It was important that what is an unprecedented examination of EU membership was done with appropriate time and care. But the government is also very conscious of the need to ensure value for money in everything that it does.

Lawyers in the Cabinet Office European Law Division of the Treasury Solicitor’s Department coordinated legal work on the Review. According to the Department’s time recording information, they spent a total of 192.5 hours on the Review between October 2013 (the earliest date from which this information is available) and December 2014. This consisted of 81 hours at Director level (salary range £85,000 to £162,500), 57 hours at Deputy Director level (salary range £62,000 to £117,800), and 54.5 hours at Grade 6 level (salary range £60,000 to £73,100).

Lawyers in other parts of the Treasury Solicitor’s Department provided legal services to a range of Government Departments in the course of the Review. They did so as part of their normal work, and did not separately record time spent on the Review. Providing a full breakdown of staff time and costs would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.

The Department did not incur any other costs arising from the Review.