To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what progress has been made in the investigation of the affairs of Phoenix Venture Holdings Ltd, MG Rover Limited and related companies under section 432 of the Companies Act 1985; and what the reasons are for the length of the investigation. (188663)

[holding answer 25 February 2008]: The investigation is ongoing. The inspectors, who are independent of BERR, are seeking to complete the report as quickly as possible, with due regard for the fairness of the process and the thoroughness of the task. It would not otherwise be appropriate to comment on the details of a current investigation or to speculate on when it might be completed.