§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Minister for Overseas Development what is the cause of the delay in the issuing of the Fay Committee Report and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JuddI have been in touch with the chairman of the committee about this and understand from Judge Fay that he hopes to complete the report by midsummer, but it may take a little longer.
My right hon. Friend the Member for Lanark (Mrs. Hart), in setting up the inquiry, instructed its members to follow as far as possible the procedure of an inquiry under the Companies Act and gave the committee wide terms of reference in order that they might conduct a thorough and far-reaching inquiry into the circumstances that led to the Crown Agents' receiving financial assistance from the Government. It is not unusual for an inquiry of this nature to take up to two years or more to complete. Judge Fay assures me, however, that the committee, which started its work in April 1975, is conscious of my concern, shared by hon. Members, that the investigation should be completed as soon as possible.