HC Deb 19 July 1995 vol 263 cc1576-7W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which inspectors' reports he is considering publishing; on what dates the inspectors were appointed; on what dates the report were completed; and what were their costs. [34095]

Mr. Oppenheim

The following table lists those Company Act inspections—all under section 165 of the Companies Act 1948, now section 432 of the Companies Act 1985—where the inspectors have submitted their completed report but where no decisions on publication have yet been made:

Company Date of appointment of inspectors Date of report
Link Service Stations Ltd. 11 March 1983 28 November 1989
Graylaw Holdings Ltd. 11 March 1983 28 November 1989
British Anzani Plc 11 March 1983 28 November 1986
Bank Street Securities Ltd. 4 October 1983 28 November 1989
Medway Secondry Metals Ltd. 16 February 1984 21 October 1987

The inspections are all related to Pennine Commercial Holdings plc where the inspectors are reviewing their interim report with a view to submitting a final report, following the conclusion in April 1995 of appeals against criminal convictions. When the inspectors have submitted their completed report on Pennine Commercial Holdings, publication of the reports will be considered. The cost of the investigation of Pennine Commercial Holdings plc to date is £391,000 and of related investigations is £74,600.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the inspectors' reports relating to public limited companies which have been completed since 1979 but remain unpublished. [34092]

Mr. Oppenheim

The table lists all inspections into public companies under sections 432 and 442 of the Companies Act 1985 or their predecessor sections where the inspectors' reports have been completed and the reports remain unpublished.

Date of appointment Company name Date of report
12 May 1975 Bryanston Finance Ltd. (now Ramor Investments Ltd.) 27 April 1987
25 July 1980 Dunlop Holdings Ltd. 12 November 1981
8 March 1982 Euroflame Holdings Ltd. 27 June 1987
11 March 1983 British Anzani plc 28 November 1986
25 February 1983 Hartley Baird plc 21 December 1983
9 May 1985 Hartley Baird plc 4 June 1991

Substantial interim reports on Bryanston Finance Ltd. and Dunlop Holdings Ltd. were published on 22 March 1983 and 17 February 1981 respectively. The decision to publish British Anzani plc remains under consideration.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the date on which the inspectors' report on Graylaw Holdings Limited was completed; and when he will be able to publish it. [34094]

Mr. Oppenheim

Elizabeth Appleby QC and Peter Wilfred Foss FCA of Moores Rowland were appointed inspectors of Graylaw Holdings Limited on 11 March 1983 under the provisions of Section 165(1)(b) of the Companies Act 1948 (now Section 432 of the Companies Act 1985). The inspectors are reviewing their interim report on Pennine Commercial Holdings Plc, a related investigation, with a view to submitting a final report, following the conclusion in April 1995 of appeals against criminal convictions. When the inspectors have submitted their completed report on Pennine Commercial Holdings, publication of the reports will be considered.

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