§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will institute an inquiry into the affairs of Garston Amhurst companies during the period they should have been regulated by his Department prior to the commencement of the Financial Services Act.
§ Mr. RedwoodIf my Department receives information about companies in the Garston Amhurst group which suggests there is good reason to mount an investigation, I will of course consider doing so.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will meet the president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to discuss accountancy matters arising out of the role of Sieff Davidson as auditors to Garston Amhurst companies.
§ Mr. RedwoodI meet senior members of the professional accountancy bodies from time to time, but I cannot yet say whether it would be appropriate to raise the issues arising from the Garston Amhurst case when I next meet the president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to monitor progress being made by the Securities and Investments Board in protecting the interests of investors in funds managed by Garston Amhurst-controlled companies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodIt is the responsibility of the Securities and Investments Board to ensure that the regulatory framework established by its own rules and those of the self-regulating bodies provides the appropriate level of protection for investors. The Secretary of State has responsibilities for general oversight of the regulatory system under the Financial Services Act, but not for its day-to-day operation.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his inspectors currently investigating Barlow Clowes will examine and report on the extent, number and nature of transactions between Barlow Clowes companies-investment funds and Garston Amhurst companies-investment funds.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe inspectors appointed to investigate the affairs of Barlow Clowes Gilt Managers Limited may inquire into any such matters to the extent that they consider necessary for the purpose of their investigation.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Dover of 2 February,Official Report, columns 413–14, when Garston Amhurst companies started offering financial and investment advice to the public.
§ Mr. RedwoodThis information is not available.
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§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what authorisation the Garston Amhurst companies held to market and advise on investments prior to the Financial Services Act becoming operational.
§ Mr. RedwoodNone.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information his Department has on connections between the auditors Sieff Davidson, the company Sieff Davidson Financial Services Limited and Garston Amhurst companies, their partners, directors and shareholders and as to whether any of those persons had authorisations to give financial and investment advice(a) prior to and (b) subsequent on the commencement of the Financial Services Act.
§ Mr. RedwoodSieff Davidson, chartered accountants, is certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to carry on investment business. Sieff Davidson Financial Services Ltd., which was set up jointly by Sieff Davidson and the principal directors of Garston Amhurst Associates, is a member of the Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association. None of these persons held a principal's or a representative's licence under the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act 1958.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he is next due to meet the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board; and if he will raise the mattes of Garston Amhurst with him and the nature of the protection given to investors by the Lautro rule book.
§ Mr. RedwoodMy right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board to discuss issues of mutual interest as often as is necessary. No date has yet been set for the next such meeting.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his answers to the hon. Member for Dover of 2 February,Official Report, column 413–14, what information he has on changes in the name of Garston Amhurst Associates (General) Ltd. and Garston Amhurst Associates Group Holdings Ltd.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe company currently registered in the name Garston Amhurst Associates (General) Limited changed its name on 21 October 1986 from Garston Amhurst General Limited. There is no company currently registered by the name Garston Amhurst Associates Group Holdings Limited.