81. Mr. F. HALLasked the penalties for failure on the part of the joint stock companies to furnish to the Registrar within the proper period the balance sheets or other particulars which they are required to supply under the Companies Acts; in how many cases during the three years to 31st December, 1912, this information was not forthcoming; whether in all such cases proceedings were taken to recover penalties or to ensure a compliance with the law; if not, the grounds on which the Board of Trade proceeds in regard to enforcing provisions which are laid down for the protection of the public; and in how many cases where proceedings were taken they were successful?
Mr. BUXTONThe penalties imposed by the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, for failure on the part of companies to file returns with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies vary from £2 to £50 for every day during which the default continues. Particulars as to the number of defaults are contained in my answer to a question asked by the hon. Member on 22nd January last. In all cases steps are taken to secure compliance with the provisions of the Act, and summonses are issued when necessary and desirable. During the three years ending 31st December, 1912, the number of summonses issued in respect of such default were sixty-one, sixty-eight, and twenty-two, and the numbers of convictions obtained were fifty-nine, forty-eight, and seventeen, respectively.
Mr. F. HALLWill the right hon. Gentleman give me the corresponding numbers in those three years of cases in which the companies did not comply with the Act?