§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will list on what occasions Ministers in his Department met directors or non-executive directors of banks between Monday 1 October and 10 am on Thursday 4 October inclusive.
§ Mr. RedwoodNo.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether a member of his Department or any official of his Department had any contact with any member of the board of either Barclays bank, Barclays de Zoete Wedd, Salomon Brothers specifically, or any other bank, in the 36 hours prior to the announcement of ERM entry on 5 October; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodDTI Ministers, persons appointed by the Government, and DTI officials have frequent contacts with board members of British and overseas banks. The Department does not generally publish details of such950W meetings. I have no evidence that any such contacts led to premature disclosure of the Government's intention that sterling should join the exchange rate mechanism. If the hon. Member has any such evidence, he should present it forthwith to the appropriate authorities.