§ Lord Spensasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the terms of the original "widely drawn" brief to the inspectors appointed to investigate the affairs of the Guinness plc were intended to include an examination of the sales of Guinness shares by supporters of Argyll Group plc during the course of the bid for Distillers Group plc as well as the purchases of Guinness shares by supporters of Guinness plc; and
Whether the original brief to the inspectors appointed to investigate the affairs of Guinness plc was subsequently "less formally" amended by the Department of Trade and Industry to restrict the investigation to certain individuals and advisers acting for Guinness plc.
§ Lord Simon of HighburyThe inspectors were appointed to investigate and report on the affairs and membership of Guinness plc. As the press notice announcing their appointment made clear, the purpose of the investigation was to examine circumstances suggesting misconduct of the affairs of Guinness in connection with its membership.