§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleMy right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Ms Hewitt) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
In response to recommendations in a report dated 14 June 2000 on The Tobacco Industry and the Health Risks of Smoking, which was published by the Health Select Committee, my predecessor launched an investigation under Section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 to look at allegations that British American Tobacco has been involved in smuggling.
The investigation has been completed. It has not uncovered material indicating a basis for launching a criminal investigation and the department does not propose to take any further action.
Information obtained under Section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 is confidential and may not be published or disclosed except in strictly defined circumstances under Section 449 of the Companies Act 1985.