HC Deb 29 April 1998 vol 311 cc150-1W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the comments of Lord Justice Rattee on the proceedings in the case against Mr. Gerald James; and if she will make a statement. [38922]

Mrs. Beckett

Following my assessment of Judge Rattee's comments at a pre-trial review hearing, I announced my decision to discontinue the disqualification proceedings against Mr. Gerald James and 3 others.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when during the last eight months the contents of the letter of 7 April 1993 from J. M. Moulsdale to the Deputy Inspector of Companies were drawn to her attention. [38923]

Mrs. Beckett

I became aware of the existence of the letter from Mr. Moulsdale, secretary to the Astra Holdings plc inspection, in February 1998 following a newspaper article suggesting, mistakenly, that I had tried to suppress its disclosure on public interest grounds. The letter itself became a particular issue for me when, later in February, the trial judge presiding over the Astra directors disqualification proceedings invited me to give the disqualification proceedings my personal consideration.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the President of the Board of Trade why proceedings for disqualification as company directors were dropped in the case of two of the directors of Astra. [38921]

Mrs. Beckett

Proceedings for the disqualification of two directors of Astra Holdings plc were discontinued after considering their evidence in reply to the then Secretary of State's allegations of unfit conduct.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost of the investigation into the activities of Mr. Gerald James in relation to his employment by defence contractors. [38897]

Mrs. Beckett

There has been no investigation by the Department into the activities of Mr. Gerald James in relation to his employment by defence contractors. The cost of the Companies Act inspection into the affairs of Astra Holdings plc, of which Mr. James was a director, was £2.3m.