§ 2. Mr. DAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the several anomalies which have been brought to his notice in the workings of the Companies Act as far as they specially affect companies registered in Scotland but carrying on business in England, he proposes to introduce amending legislation so that these particular companies shall not continue to be placed at a disadvantage?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe only difficulty under the Companies Act in connection with Scottish companies carrying on business in England to which my attention has been drawn relates to the registration by such companies of charges on property in England. As my hon. Friend is aware, I have taken the best legal advice available to me in England and Scotland, and as a result the English Registrar has been instructed to register the charges in these cases. There is no opportunity for legislation on this subject at present.
§ Mr. DAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these companies are suffering under a very serious dis- 2697 advantage, and, as it is a matter under the Companies Bill as originally introduced, does he not think that the Scottish companies should be given some opportunity of having the same rights as the English companies?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI recognise the point raised by the hon. Member, but it is only one of many put up to me under the Companies Act. While I should like to see them covered, I cannot for the moment promise legislation.
Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that English companies registered in England can have any rules made by them in Scotland registered in Scotland?
§ Mr. GRAHAMPerhaps the hon. Member will put that question down on the Order Paper. It is a very complicated subject.