§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of the inquiry into the Mirror Group Newspapers prospectus; what is the expected date for publication of the report; and what consideration the inspectors are giving to statements made by the directors in the prospectus about the Maxwell Communications Corporation plc works pension scheme.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonThe inspectors have commenced interviewing witnesses, but it is too early to give a realistic estimate as to when they will complete their investigation. I am sure that they will consider all aspects of the company's affairs relevant to their task. It is the policy to publish reports on the affairs of public companies, but a decision cannot be made until the report is received and its contents have been studied.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of the inquiry into the interests in and ownership of shares in Maxwell Communications Corporation plc and the310W expected date for publication of the report; and whether the report will include sections concerning breach of trust where shares were acquired by or funded by pension funds without proper authority.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonMy Department is not carrying out any inquiry into Maxwell Communication Corporation plc.