§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the relevant facts which his Department became aware only after 23 November which led an official of his Department to telephone a Westminster City councillor to tell him to disregard the contents of a letter dated 23 November stating that his Department would not be making an inquiry into alleged fraud by companies which purchased land from Westminster council, or through whose hands ownership of land subsequently passed, related to Westminster cemeteries.
§ Mr. MaudeThe relevant facts were media references to a report which might shed light on the affair. This was later identified as a report under section 15(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 to Westminster city council by the auditor appointed by the Audit Commission. In the 397W telephone conversation to which the hon. Member refers, an official underlined the substance of the Department's letter of 23 November that whilst there were no grounds for a Companies Act investigation any further information would be considered on its merits.