§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the report by J. Panting into livestock export procedures as pursued by Jonathan Stirling is to be completed and published. [32326]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 17 June 1996]: My investigation officers have carried out a thorough investigation of the allegations made in the Channel 4 "Dispatches" programme which was broadcast earlier this year. The investigation included consideration of the material provided by the programme makers to the Department following the broadcast.
A report was submitted by the investigation branch to the Department's prosecution lawyers at the beginning of June. The lawyers have now considered the report and concluded that there is no evidence which would give rise to criminal charges against anyone featured in the "Dispatches" programme nor was there any evidence to substantiate the allegations of serious misconduct by the LVI featured in the programme.
Reports of investigations carried out by investigation officers of the Department are not published.