§ Mr. Sedgemoreasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will call for the assistance of the fraud squad of the Metropolitan and City police forces to help in the Guinness investigation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardThe Guinness investigation is proceeding with all possible expedition and there is close liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service, which is being advised by leading counsel. It is for the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide whether and when to institute police inquiries.
§ Mr. Sedgemoreasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has received any representations concerning the conduct of members of the firm of stockbrokers Cazenove in the Guinness affair.
§ Mr. HowardThe Guinness investigation is proceeding expeditiously. My right hon. Friend has received no specific representations about the conduct of members of Cazenoves in the affairs or membership of Guinness plc.
§ Mr. Sedgemoreasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his inspectors have sought information on the conduct of members of the firm of stockbrokers Cazenove from the takeover panel of the Stock Exchange in relation to Guinness plc.
§ Mr. HowardIt would not be in the public interest to give detailed information about the investigation.
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§ Mr. Sedgemoreasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the inspectors dealing with the Guinness inquiry have submitted to him or to the police any papers or reports concerning the commission of possible criminal offences arising out of their inquiry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardThe Guinness investigation is proceeding with all possible expedition and it would not be in the public interest to give detailed information concerning the inspectors' investigation while it is in progress.