§ Mr. DarlingTo ask the Attorney-General if the Serious Fraud Office is still pursuing inquiries into possible criminal conduct of individuals connected with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralYes. Three persons have already been indicted at the Central Criminal Court on charges connected with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International. It is expected that a fourth person will be extradited from France in the near future. Other lines of inquiry are being pursued and the investigation will continue while there is still a realistic prospect of bringing criminal charges against persons in England.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Attorney-General what steps have been taken by the Serious Fraud Office to interview(a) the British citizens in Abu Dhabi and (b) the persons in Pakistan who have indicated that they will co-operate with the Serious Fraud Office in furnishing information about BCCI.
§ The Attorney-GeneralRequests have been made to interview detainees and view documents in Abu Dhabi. So far, it has not been possible to arrange for such access.
I have taken the persons mentioned at (b) to be those about whom the hon. Member wrote to my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General. His letter of 29 July 1992 to the hon. Member explained the basis on which it would be possible to interview those persons and, since the Serious Fraud Office is unable to contact the individuals save through the hon. Member, sought assistance in confirming their willingness to be interviewed on that basis. No such confirmation has been received.