§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will strengthen the legal protection for investors against frauds commonly known as whisky scams. [39164]
§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 20 April 1998]: A range of measures already exists to deal with fraud. The DTI has investigated the affairs of some 20 companies engaged in selling whisky or champagne for investment purposes. DTI has wound up 6 companies and continues to bring proceedings against others. Information obtained by DTI has been passed to the Serious Fraud Office which has now commenced a major inquiry across the industry embracing about 40 companies.