Hundreds of Bradford families who lost money when Christmas hamper firm Farepak went bust were dealt another blow tonight as the Government announced the report into the fiasco will not be published.

An estimated 150,000 people across the country lost up to £40 million in savings last October when the company went bust.

But today the Government said for legal reasons the investigation could not be directly published. And in a second blow the Government conceded there is still no timescale on when they will receive a payout of 5p for every £1 saved.

In a statement to MPs Trade Minister Gareth Thomas said: "It is not yet possible to confirm when a payment will be made to customers as every agent and customer claim must be finalised before this can take place."

More than 150 MPs have demanded the Government publish the report, but according to Mr Thomas "information obtained can only be disclosed through legal gateways and the report cannot be directly published".

Only if the directors are prosecuted will the facts be disclosed through any court case.

Keighley MP Ann Cryer, who signed the parliamentary motion, said 5p per pound was "negligible".

"I am sure people will be grateful but it is a very small amount for some of the poorest working class people who worked hard and saved so they could buy things for Christmas," she said.

Farepak saver Caroline Smith, of Shipley, said: "The announcement does not shock me. I don't think we will get anything. It has been 12 months now and people are still feeling the repercussions. I do not understand why the report cannot be published."

Farepak agent Jacqueline McCrudden, of Great Horton, said: "The report should be published, I tell everyone what happened and I will never join a hamper company again."