§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many reports have been made to his Department, and its predecessor Departments, during the last 10 years under the provisions of Section 165 of the Companies Act; in how many cases it has come to his notice that defamation proceedings arising out of their contents have been instituted against inspectors appointed to make such reports; and in how many instances it has come to his notice that persons referred to in such reports have threatened defamation proceedings without actually taking out writs.
§ Mr. Clinton Davis125 reports have been made in the last 10 years under Sections 164, 165 and 172 of the Companies Act 1948. So far as I am aware, the only "defamation" proceedings against inspectors arose from the report on Pergamon Press Ltd and related companies made under Section 165 of the Companies Act 1948; these proceedings have not been pursued. Without undue expense it would not be possible to ascertain how many persons mentioned
280W1976 and is set out below. Preliminary estimates for November indicate a marked fall in calf exports to a level comparable with November 1975. For welfare reasons, restrictions were applied to exports of live cattle and calves from July 1973 to January 1975.
defamation proceedings in correspondence with the Department, but did not actually take out writs.