TNAG-1101-FCO40-1351-Legislation-on-homosexuality-in-Hong-Kong-including--Report--1981 — Page 554

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concluded before Christmas 1980.

Apart from the other consequences of the considerable time that

the Commission is taking to conclude its hearings the cost of the

proceedings has escalated enormously. This is primarily due to the broadening of the scope of the Inquiry since Beveridge, QC arrived as this has resulted in a much greater number of Counsel being brought into the Inquiry (and for a greater length of time than originally contemplated). There are presently 7 Barristers from the private Bar appearing in the Inquiry; they

are instructed by 3 firms of Solicitors. There are presently 7 Government lawyers involved full-time in the Inquiry (only one of whom is below Senior Crown Counsel level).

In the Legislative Council on the 3rd December 1980 the CS advised that the average daily cost of the Inquiry was $36, 600; that the cost per sitting day was about $100, 000; that the Inquiry had cost about $5 million; that the cost to the end of January 1981 was estimated at about $8 million; and that should the Inquiry run until the end of March, 1981 the cost would exceed $10 million.

These estimates do not include the cost to the Government of the

7 Government lawyers now involved in the proceedings nor certain other costs. If, as expected, the Inquiry continues until

the end of June, 1981 the total cost will probably be in the order of about $18 million to $20 million,

Apparently the Finance Committee have expressed concern at the cost and length of this Inquiry. The view of the public might well be the same if they were acquainted with the details of the

cost and the realistic time estimate. The Commissioner could make an interim report on some issues (e.g. cause of death, MacLennan's sexual preference, adequacy of enquiries immediately following discovery of death) and such a report might expedite matters by concentrating the thrust of the

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