Annex i8
Letter to the then Chairman of the Committee
on Standards and Privileges from Mr Keith Vaz MP
Thank you for your letter of 19th March 2001 informing
me of Andrew Lansley's complaint.
As I said to you on Monday on June 5th 1995 Nirj
Deva, Conservative MP for Brentford and Isleworth, and I co-chaired
a lecture by Swami Vaswami, the Sindhi philosopher. I understand
that the topic of the Swami's lecture was "World's greatest
need—Love in action". Among the other Members of Parliament
who attended were Sir Rhodes Boyson MP, Toby Jessel MP, Greville
Janner MP, Sir David Steel. I believe that Mr Bottomley was also
present.
Mapesbury Communications undertook the public relations
work for this event at cost for the Vaswami Centre, which is a
non-profit making body. The costs of 1,196.10p (which I understand
was for faxes, invitations, food, telephone calls etc) were reimbursed
by the Hinduja Foundation. There was no benefit to me. There was
no benefit to the company which, as you know as you have a report
on the company, made a loss that year. Two accountants have certified
that neither I nor my office have received any benefit from the
company.
Neither my family nor I have received any payments
from the Hinduja Brothers. I explained this to Mrs Filkin when
she wrote to me last year (14th March 2000). Nor have we received
any payments from the Hinduja Foundation. The Hinduja Foundation
is a registered charity which cannot make personal or political
donations. As I told you, I confirm that this information was
given to Sir Anthony Hammond QC.
I would be happy to answer any further questions.
I have not as yet received a copy of Mr Lansley's complaint.
I would be grateful if you could pass this information
to Mrs Filkin.
20 March 2001
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