HC Deb 05 November 1973 vol 863 cc67-8W
Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the instrument by which the present Chairman of the Crown Agents was appointed, together with any relevant information on the terms of the appointment.

Mr. Wood

The chairman was appointed in accordance with normal practice by the then Minister of Overseas Development, and an announcement was made at the time. The terms of the appointment are analogous to those of senior officials in the Civil Service.

Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Crown Agents have placed funds with a financial institution in the Cayman Islands; and, if so, to what extent the funds derive from those raised by the Crown Agents on the market in their own right and for the application of which they are not answerable to overseas principals.

Mr. Wood

I understand that the Crown Agents have placed funds in institutions in the Cayman Islands, but it would be wrong for me to disclose the day-to-day arrangements of their finances, whether as agents or otherwise.