§ 40. Mr. Bellengerasked the President of the Board of Trade when he hopes to be in a position to make a public statement on the result of the inquiry into the affairs of the Bernales group of companies; and whether the inspector's reports have been made available to the shareholders?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Major Lloyd George)I am not in a position to make any general statement on this matter. In reply to communications addressed to them by the Department, the directors have informed the Board of Trade that they intend to send to each shareholder before the end of the current month a printed copy of the Inspector's report, together with a commentary by the directors, and that, as an interim arrangement, copies of the report will be available to members of the company for inspection on and after Monday, 11th November, at the offices of the Mercers Trust, 66, Gresham Street, E.C.2.
§ Mr. BellengerAs public money has been spent on the investigation of these companies, why will no statement be made by the Minister upon the relevant question which I have previously put, namely, whether any breach of the Companies Acts has taken place?
§ Sir Frank SandersonIs there any reason why a full report of the inquiry should not be published in the Press?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI do not think my hon. Friend realises what the printing of the report in the Press would entail. It covers the activities of seven companies. I am afraid that it would be far too long for the newspapers. The point is that the report is being made available as quickly as possible to those who are interested. As regards the suggestion that public money is involved, I must ask for notice.