LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister DavidCameron would support HSBC's former executive chairman StephenGreen going before lawmakers to answer questions about what heknew about tax avoidance at the bank's Swiss arm, his spokesmansuggested on Wednesday.
Cameron appointed Green, a British peer, to be a trademinister in 2010 and his spokesman has said he thinks Green, whois no longer in government, did a good job.
Asked on Wednesday if Cameron felt it would be useful forGreen to appear before a parliamentary committee to explain whathe knew about possible wrongdoing at HSBC's Swiss arm, hisspokesman said it wasn't a decision for the prime minister butthat he favoured people accounting for themselves.
"The prime minister's sort of point of principle, you know,is that he's always of the view wherever possible it is(desirable for individuals to testify)," Cameron's spokesmantold reporters.
"He would support the idea of people coming before selectcommittees and answering questions that parliamentarians have,"he added.
So far, Green has not commented.
A panel of British lawmakers said earlier this week theyplanned to open an inquiry into HSBC Holdings Plc HSBA.L, aftermedia reports that the bank helped wealthy customers dodge taxesand conceal millions of dollars of assets.
It has not yet disclosed who it would like to question. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)