§ Mr. ButcherTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the actions of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in respect of its dealings with Matrix Churchill to assess whether compensation should be paid to the ex-employees of Matrix Churchill.
§ Sir John CopeThe Government have already established an independent inquiry under Lord Justice Scott with broad terms of reference which will enable Her550W Majesty's Customs and Excise actions in the Matrix Churchill case to be fully examined. It would be inappropriate for me to undertake a separate review.
As regards the issue of compensation, I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the advice of my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to the House on 10 November 1992, Official Report, c. 746–47, that if there is a prosecution which subsequently fails or is withdrawn for any particular reason, representations can be made, but is has never been the policy for there to be formal compensation in these circumstances.