§ MR. CHEETHAM (Stalybridge)I beg to ask the President of the Board of 335 Trade whether he has recently received communications from representative commercial bodies with regard to Clause 23 of the Companies Bill, which requires private companies as well as public companies to file an annual balance sheet; and whether it would be possible to make any exception in favour of private companies.
§ MR. KEARLEYThe Board of Trade have received many communications of the nature indicated by my hon. friend, and, after careful consideration, have decided to propose an Amendment when the Bill is in Committee, to exempt private companies from the provisions of Clause 23 of the Companies Bill.