§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will establish an inquiry into the implications for UK corporate accounting practice of the collapse of Enron. [30084]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonNo. There are major differences between the accounting requirements in the UK and the US, which make it unlikely that the principal accounting factors we understand to have been involved in the collapse of Enron would be replicated here. We are, however, following developments in the US. The UK Accounting Standards Board has been playing a leading role for some time in international discussions of accounting requirements in this area.
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when, and by whom, the relevant ministers were informed of the problems at Enron Corporation. [31937]
§ Mr. WilsonIn accordance with previous Administrations it is not our practice to disclose internal advice to Ministers which is exempt under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on access to Government information.