HL Deb 21 December 1988 vol 502 c1450WA
Lord Williams

of Elvel asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Bank of England requested the Wiltshire police to inquire into the activities of Selective Investment Brokers Ltd. during 1986–87 and, if so, with what result.

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Lord Young of Graffham)

In December 1986, the Department of Trade and Industry received a complaint made on behalf of an investor with Selective Investment Brokers Ltd. The DTI informed the Bank of England of this complaint in January 1987. Subsequently there was liaison between the DTI, the Bank and the Wiltshire police. I understand that the police promptly investigated the matter but were unable to complete their inquiries because of the unwillingness of the complainant to identify himself. I understand further that the police then reported their findings to the DPP, who concluded that the evidence was insufficient to warrant a criminal investigation at that stage.