HC Deb 22 October 1992 vol 212 cc363-4W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to publish the Bingham report into BCCI in full.

Mr. Nelson

My right hon. Friend has concluded that the balance of public interest lies in favour of publishing not only Lord Justice Bingham's recommendations and conclusions, but the report in full.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost to the Exchequer of the Bingham inquiry into BCCI.

Mr. Nelson

The total direct costs of Lord Justice Bingham and his inquiry team to date are some £595,000. These costs are shared equally between the Treasury and the Bank of England. The overall cost to the taxpayer also includes the administration and legal costs of the Government Departments concerned. To provide an estimate of these costs would involve disproportionate cost.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims have been paid by the deposit protection board to former depositors with BCCI by(a) number and (b) value.

Mr. Nelson

I understand that at 19 October 1992 some 9,500 claims had been processed involving payments of some £51.7 million.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England concerning the Bingham report into BCCI since he received a copy of the report.

Mr. Nelson

My right hon. Friend meets the Governor of the Bank of England frequently and they discuss a wide range of issues.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish the Bingham report into BCCI.

Mr. Watts

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish the Bingham report on the failure of BCCI.

Mr. Nelson

The report of Lord Justice Bingham's inquiry into the supervision of BCCI has been published today, in response to an unopposed motion for the return of papers.