To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the steps he is planning to take to promote the involvement of ethnic minorities in the administration of the accountancy bodies incorporated under royal charters.

I have no such plans. It is for the bodies and their members to determine what steps are necessary to ensure equality of opportunity for their members and staff, including those from ethnic minorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many meetings he or his senior civil servants had with the accountancy bodies in 1988 and 1989;(2) what meetings his Department has held with the accountancy firms criticised by inspectors; and what was discussed.

I and my officials have frequent contact with members of the accountancy profession to discuss a wide range of matters.