HC Deb 05 May 1999 vol 330 cc407-8W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the powers available to him for investigating the affairs of accountancy firms judged by the High Court to have knowingly laundered money. [82648]

Dr. Howells

The Department has no powers as envisaged by my hon. Friend; money laundering is primarily a matter for the police and the conduct of accountancy firms for their professional body.