§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those areas of Executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20533]
Mr. John M. TaylorComprehensive records are not kept in the form requested. My Department is committed generally to giving reasons for administrative decisions to those affected, in accordance with the code of practice on access to Government information. My Department has identified from readily available sources the statutory powers of inquiry under the Financial Services Act 1986, the Insurance Companies Act 1982 and the Companies Act 1989 where, although the Secretary of State has to have reason to exercise these powers, he does not have to give reasons for his decision to do so. Import, export and sanctions licensing is also an area where the Secretary of State has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision.