§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Attorney-General if he will publish in the Official Report details of the current police investigations into the lending business undertaken through Johnson Matthey Bankers in the period before October 1984; and when these inquiries are likely to be completed.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo. It is not the practice to publish details of current police investigations lest their success be compromised. There is also a need to ensure that any criminal proceedings in being or in contemplation are not prejudiced by the disclosure of such information. Police investigations have already been completed in relation to a number of specific allegations of fraud made against creditors of Johnson Matthey Bank Ltd. relating to events prior to October 1984. Statements about these were issued by the Commissioner of Police for the City of London on 8 April and 29 July this year. For the most part, those allegations related to matters unconnected with the substantial losses sustained by JMB Ltd. A wide-ranging investigation into the circumstances of those losses is continuing and the police have the benefit of accounting assistance and advice from the fraud divisions of the Crown Prosecution Service and counsel. It is not possible to say when the investigation will be completed.