Britain's second biggest brewer, Courage, is to axe seven hundred jobs after an extensive review of its operations.

The unit's chairman, Richard Evans, said the move came after a review of the company's operations.

The agency is now in a monthlong review of the plant's operations, with 13 inspectors on the site.

Last month, it announced that it had undertaken a review of its operations and planned to cut 2,000 employees.

The audit that set off the temporary closing is part of a long-term review of the lab's operations from 2000 to 2004.

Within six months the agencies must complete reviews of their operations under the act and have a plan to reduce backlogs and improve service.

Previously they had said that the new items were discovered when Deloitte's questions prompted a thorough review of the company's operations.

A review of the bank's offshore operations is also being awaited.

The House ethics committee scrutinized the same period from 1988 to 1991 in its review of the bank's operations.

Another $400,000 was to be spent on a review of the university's long-term operations.