HL Deb 25 July 1994 vol 557 c69WA
Lord Clinton-Davis

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any newspaper or any other section of the media (and, if so, which) had revealed or threatened to reveal the name of Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare prior to the statement issued by the Department of Trade and Industry on 8th July 1994 concerning the results of a preliminary inquiry into alleged insider dealing in the shares of Anglia TV; and whether any warning was given that any such publication or disclosure could constitute a criminal offence and, if so, when.

Earl Ferrers

On 7 July 1994, in response to a specific enquiry by a newspaper, the Department of Trade and Industry confirmed that on 8 February 1994 it had appointed two inspectors to investigate possible insider dealing contraventions by certain individuals including Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare in relation to an agreed bid made by MAI plc for Anglia Television Group Plc on 18 January 1994. It is not for the Government to advise newspapers upon whether publication of certain information would constitute a criminal offence.