§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether any of the accountancy firms criticised by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors have been advising on the electricity privatisation.
§ Mr. BaldryFurther to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member on 24 April 1990 at column146, two reports of inspectors appointed under the Companies Act published since that time have contained criticisms of firms of accountants who have been appointed by the epartment to advise on electricity privatisation.
Name of company, date of publication of reports and firm of accountants:
Minet Holdings plc and WMD Underwriting Agencies, 29 August, Ernst and Young.
Alexander Howden Holdings plc, 29 August, Ernst and Young/Peat Marwick McLintock and Co. Bermuda.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether any of the accountancy firms criticised by the joint disciplinary scheme have been advising on the electricity privatisation.
§ Mr. BaldryTwo reports, by the committee of inquiry appointed under the joint disciplinary scheme, have contained criticism of firms of accountants who have been appointed as advisers by the Department on electricity privatisation.
Name of Company, date of report and firm of accountants: Orbit Holdings Limited, 28 March 1983, Peat Marwick Mitchell and Co.
Ramor Investments Limited, 27 January 1986, Price Waterhouse.