§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many investigators and inspectors appointed under the Companies Acts have declared an interest in the matters of companies under investigation in the years since 1989.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonMy Department would not appoint a particular inspector or investigator if there was a known conflict of interest. If a possible conflict arose during the course of an investigation, officials would discuss with the appointee the appropriate course of action. Instances of this occurring are very infrequent.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what interests relevant to terms covered in the report on the affairs of Astra plc were declared by the inspectors investigating the affairs of the company.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonThe inspectors disclosed no interests which conflicted with their appointment to investigate and report on the affairs of Astra Holdings plc.