HC Deb 20 July 1993 vol 229 cc132-3W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many inspectors have been appointed by the DTI since 1979; and what proportion were(a) female or (b) from ethnic minorities.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

Of the 78 individuals who have acted as inspectors since February 1979, three have been women. There appear to have been no inspectors from ethnic minorities.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the basis on which payments are made to accountants acting as inspectors for his Department.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

At the start of an inspection hourly fee rates are agreed with the inspectors. With accountant inspectors these rates cover various grades of staff involved. The rates are commercially confidential. Payments are against invoice submitted normally each month.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answers of 24 June,Official Report, column 261–62, if he will list the inspectors for each of the investigations completed during the year to 31 March or currently in progress; if he will list the firms to which each inspector belongs; and if he will list each inspector who is under investigation by a recognised supervisory body for unprofessional conduct.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

The list of inspectors for each of the investigations completed during the year to 31 March or currently in progress is as follows:

Investigation Accountant inspector Legal inspector
James Ferguson Holdings plc; Barlow Clowes Gilt Managers Ltd. Walter Hoffman, FCA of Baker Tilly Lawrence Ziman of Nabarro Nathanson
Consolidated Gold Fields plc Richard Lewis, FCA of Kidsons Philip Heslop, QC
Atlantic Computers plc; Atlantic Computer Systems plc James Scott, FCA of BDO Binder Hamlyn Eben Hamilton, QC
London United Investments plc; C. R. Driver and Company Ltd. Angus Gilroy, FCA of BDO Binder Hamlyn William Gage, QC
Wace UK Holdings Ltd.; Tinsley Robor pic; European Colour plc Christopher Mayhew (DTI officer) Anthony Robertshaw (DTI officer)
Mirror Group Newspapers plc Raymond Turner, FCA of Neville Russell John Thomas, QC

In May 1993 the Institute of Chartered Accountants reported that it had decided to bring disciplinary proceedings against Brian Worth, FCA.