§ Mr. Salmondasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 17 July, why he will not specify the precise dates on which the Bank of England and his Department were first informed of the proposed purchase of the Clydesdale Bank by the National Australia Bank.
§ Mr. LilleyThe Bank of England in its supervisory role has confidential discussions with banks, other financial institutions and other interested parties throughout the year. In some cases, in the interests of depositors or in the wider public interest, information may be passed to the Treasury under the provisions of the Banking Act. The confidential nature of these discussions would be damaged if details, including dates, were routinely disclosed. If the hon. Member would like to write explaining any specific matter which concerns him about the dates in this case, I would be glad to consider the point.