§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Swiss Government for assistance in recovering any moneys belonging to(a) Mirror Group pensioners and (b) Maxwell Communication Corporation pensioners held or controlled by Maxwell family trusts or companies in either Switzerland or Liechtenstein.
Mr. LillyI have been asked to reply.
The Serious Fraud Office is conducting an investigation into the Maxwell companies. Action is being taken to secure and recover assets by IMRO, the provisional liquidator, administrators and receivers appointed to a number of Maxwell private companies. I have instructed my officials to maintain the closest consultation with the Serious Fraud Office and IMRO. I will also want to hear from the administrators, receivers and the provisional liquidator if they consider that the exercise of my investigative powers or other action is warranted.
I will not hesitate to use powers available to me to investigate any matter which may emerge from these consultations as requiring separate enquiry or to take any other action, so long as that would not impede work of the Serious Fraud Office or other action which is being taken.