To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will request the inspectors investigating MG Rover to produce a progress report setting out (a) the estimated length of time required to complete the inquiry, (b) the estimated additional cost to complete the inquiry and (c) an explanation of the time taken to complete the inquiry. (281152)

The inspectors delivered their report on 11 June 2009. It will be for my noble Friend the Secretary of State to consider its findings and next steps.

The total cost of the Rover inquiry as at 31 May 2009 was £15,922,838 (broken down as £13,134,334 in costs, £451,542 in disbursements and £2,336,962 in VAT).

The Inquiry was complex but the cost has been very high. The Government will carefully consider the approach to any future exercises of this sort with a view to minimising expense to the taxpayer.