§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps were taken by his predecessor to ensure that the business affairs of the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) were investigated by his Department without ministerial involvement. [66451]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 18 January 1999]: On 23 September 1998, the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry decided, after discussion with the Permanent Secretary, that neither he nor any other DTI Minister should be involved in the inquiries the Department was making following certain allegations relating to companies with which my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) had been involved. No papers generated by the Department's inquiries, or concerning their substance, were at any time shown to my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson).