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Swiss Bank Officials And Awards For Information

Volume 330: debated on Tuesday 18 April 1972

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My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether public money has been used to bribe Swiss bank officials; and, if so, to what Vote it has been charged.

My Lords, there is provision in the Treasury Vote for the years 1971–72 of £5,000 for awards for information leading to the prevention of offences under the Exchange Control Act. I do not think it would be right to disclose whether a reward has been given in any particular instance.

My Lords, does this Vote include the use of corruption as a method of gaining this information? As we are joining as a partner in Europe, is there not a more civilised way of ensuring the observance of the Exchange Control Act?

My Lords, I do not think I can accept the assumption lying behind the first part of my noble friend's supplementary question. On the second part of his question, I consider it is right for Her Majesty's Government, when they believe that the law of this country is being infringed, to take necessary measures to prevent it.