HC Deb 04 November 1992 vol 213 c311W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce departmental investigations of a sample of company accounts whenever the auditors issue a major qualification.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

My Department's investigatory powers can only be exercised when there is good reason to do so, primarily when there are grounds to suggest fraud, misfeasance, or serious misconduct; or where shareholders have been denied reasonable information.