HC Deb 09 January 1978 vol 941 cc1262-3
32. Mr. Canavan

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many representations she has received about the Fay Report on the Crown Agents.

Mr. Tomlinson

My right hon. Friend has received 20 letters concerning or referring to the subject matter of the Fay Report.

Mr. Canavan

Will my hon. Friend now add any further detail to the statement of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister last month about the tribunal of inquiry, bearing in mind the great public concern about the loss of more than £200 million of public money? Does not this whole scandal underline the need for new legislation to make the Crown Agents, Treasury officials and other public servants more accountable to the public, and also the need for a Freedom of Information Act to enable the public to know precisely what is being done with public money?

Mr. Tomlinson

I regret that I cannot add any information to the statement of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 8th December, when he told the House of the Government's conclusion about the most appropriate form of inquiry. The tribunal's scope and procedures will be for approval by Parliament when the resolutions required by the 1921 Act are brought before the House. It is intended that this should be done in the very near future. My hon. Friend's other general points will be appropriate for consideration in the discussion in the House then.

Mr. Luce

Since, as the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan) has just said, there is an urgent need not only to incorporate the Crown Agents but to make them fully accountable to Parliament, is there not an immediate need to introduce legislation to deal with the problem? When do the Government propose to do this?

Mr. Tomlinson

I can add nothing to the statement that I have just made to my hon. Friend the Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan). These matters are subject to consideration, and the House will have the opportunity to express a view on them in due course.

Mr. Skinner

Will my hon. Friend suggest that when they are brought before the House the powers should include the ability to force the Bank of England to explain precisely how, seemingly with the connivance of the Bank of England, payment of the dollar premium was evaded to such a large extent that, according to reports, as much as £100 million was stashed away abroad? May we be assured that those powers will be brought before the House?

Mr. Tomlinson

I cannot give assurances about any particular matter, but I shall make sure that my hon. Friend's comments are brought to the notice of the appropriate authorities. I hope that when we discuss the powers of the proposed tribunal my hon. Friend will have the opportunity to make the point that he has just made.