§ 47. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Metropolitan Police Fraud Squad sent its report on matters connected with the Real Estate Fund of America and its British directors at the time this company was operating from premises in this country to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
175W
§ Mr. CarlisleThe Real Estate Fund of America has not operated in this country. Police reports have been sent to the Department of Trade and Industry on matters affecting two associated companies at various dates from 1st October, 1970, onwards. Consultations have taken place from time to time between that Department and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT or place in the Library a copy of the letter sent to the hon. Member for West Ham, North, on the matter concerning the Real Estate Fund Company of America.
§ Mr. R. CarrYes.
Following is the text of the letter:
In answer to a Question on 27th July, I said that I would write to you when I had received a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about police inquiries connected with the Real Estate Fund of America.
I understand that the inquiries were initiated by the police and that their first report was made to the Department of Trade and Industry in October, 1970. Subsequent reports have been made on various matters connected with the Fund. These are now being studied by the Department and the Director; and, as the Attorney General has told you, the papers have been submitted to Counsel for advice.
In your Question, and also in separate letters which you sent both to me and to the Prime Minister on 24th July, you asked for the names of those who had been interviewed and the dates on which the interviews took place. I do not consider it to be in the public interest that I should disclose detail of this kind from police reports.