§ Sir Alex Fletcherasked the Attorney-General if he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a view to a request for inquiries by the police, the allegations that criminal offences were conducted by or on behalf of Guinness plc during its takeover of Distillers plc; and if he will make a statement.
The Solicitor-GeneralThe DTI inquiry into Guinness is proceeding and there is already close liaison with the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is being advised by leading counsel. The question whether to request police inquiries is among those now under active consideration by the Director of Public Prosecutions.