§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to hold an investigation into the activity of Mr. Ashley Jenkins whose company assets were frozen on 2 October; what representations she has received about this case; and if she will make a statement. [134253]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 27 October 2003]: Inquiries under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 into the affairs of Ashley Jenkins Ltd. and Ashley Jenkins SL, a company registered in Spain, were undertaken by officials of the Department's Companies Investigations Branch. The investigation's findings resulted in the presentation of a public interest winding-up petition, on 2 October, the High Court appointing 264W the Official Receiver as Provisional Liquidator of both companies, pending the hearing of the petition on 14 January 2004.
The Official Receiver's duties as Provisional Liquidator include the preservation and protection of both companies' assets and financial records.
In view of the fact that this matter remains before the High Court it would be inappropriate for me to comment further about the affairs of the Ashley Jenkins companies.