HC Deb 24 October 1990 vol 178 c199W
Mr. Sims

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to persuade the Australian Government to amend their import duty/excise structure so as to put imported and locally produced spirits on an even footing.

Mr. Sainsbury

Following representations by United Kingdom industry, the Government have, through the European Community, alerted the Australian Government to their concern at certain practices that discriminate against imported spirits, and have sought to secure their elimination. We are addressing this issue in the Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations.

Name of company Dale of publication of report Firm of accountants
Gilgate Holdings Ltd. and others 8 September 1981 Thornton Baker and Co. (now Grant Thornton)
Norwest Hoist Ltd. 23 June 1982 Price Waterhouse
Ramor Investments Ltd. 23 March 1983 Price Waterhouse
Milbury plc 27 October 1988 Arthur Young (now Ernst and Young)
Minet Holdings plc and WMD Underwriting Agencies 29 August 1989 Arthur Young (now Ernst and Young)
Alexander Howden Holdings Ltd. 29 August 1989 Arthur Young (now Ernst and Young) and Peat Marwick and Mitchell of Bermuda (now Peat Marwick McLintock)

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any accountancy firms criticised by the joint disciplinary scheme act as auditors to public bodies sponsored by his Department.

Name of company Dale of report Firm of accountants
Gilgate Holdings Ltd and others 22 December 1982 Thornton Baker (now Grant Thornton)
Orbit Holdings Ltd 28 March 1983 Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co (Peat Marwick Mclintock)
Ramor Investments Ltd 27 January 1986 Price Waterhouse