asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply of 13 March, Official Report, columns 319–20, about MV Silver Sea on what date Her Majesty's Customs and Excise began its inquiries; when he expects the inquiries to be completed; and whether he will place a copy of any report on the conclusion of the inquiries in the Library.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 March 1987]: It is not the practice of Customs and Excise to disclose details of operational matters while inquiries are continuing. I shall consider how far it might be appropriate to publish the results of these inquiries, once they are complete.