HC Deb 14 January 1991 vol 183 c384W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the results of the investigation by Customs and Excise into licences granted to Matrix Churchill for sales of machine tools to Iraq; and if he will place a copy of the results, when completed, in the Library.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Investigation of possible export licensing offences is a matter for the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, acting in their independent law enforcement capacity. They carry out their inquiries thoroughly and expeditiously. It would not be appropriate for information relating to an investigation to be made public other than in the course of court proceedings.