§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Trade on what date he appointed inspectors to carry out an investigation into the past operations of the Peachey Property company; if he will publish the names of the persons so appointed; if he was aware at the time of making such appointments if any of his appointees were already engaged on public inquiries elsewhere in the United Kingdom; on what date the inspectors commenced their investigation; and when he expects to receive their report.
§ Mr. Clinton Davis:On 29th April 1977 my right hon. Friend appointed Mr. R. I. Kidwell, QC and Mr. S. D. Samwell, FCA as inspectors under Section 165(b) of the Companies Act 1948 to investigate the affairs of Peachey Property Corporation Limited. He was aware that Mr. Kidwell, as is usual with leading counsel, had other work in hand at the date of appointment and, in particular, was committed to the Windscale inquiry. He did, however, arrange to be released from what was expected to be a lengthy court hearing due to start in October and has 794W accepted no further court work for the next few months. It is the practice for the accountant inspector to take the lead in obtaining information in the early stages of an investigation and, in this instance, inquiries began on 2nd May. The inspectors are now interviewing witnesses and expect to make a substantial interim report by March next.