HC Deb 18 December 1947 vol 445 cc1848-50
22. Mr. Edward Evans

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons and undertakings were adjudicated bankrupt between January, 1919, and August, 1939; what was the average number yearly; and how many from July, 1945, to November, 1947.

Mr. H. Wilson

Including bankruptcy orders and deeds of arrangements, the figures are 113,554, representing an average of 5,494 a year for the period January, 1919, to August, 1939. For the period July, 1945, to November, 1947, the total number was 136.

Mr. Evans

Does not the Minister agree that these figures in themselves are a substantial repudiation of the cries of "wolf, wolf," that we hear from certain quarters?

Mr. Wilson

I think these figures speak for themselves.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Has any analysis been carried out to ascertain how many were spivs, drones, eels and butterflies, respectively?

Mr. Wilson

No, Sir, I think it would take too many civil servants to analyse the figures of the spivs, drones, etc., who have become bankrupt.

23. Mr. Edward Evans

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many farmers or farming undertakings were adjudicated bankrupt between January, 1919, and August, 1939; and how many between July, 1945, and November, 1947.

Mr. H. Wilson

Including bankruptcy orders and deeds of arrangement the figures are: for January, 1919, to August, 1939, 7,456; and for the period from July, 1945, to November, 1947, 76.

Mr. Turton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last time we had a Socialist Government, the number of agricultural bankruptcies increased by 30 per cent.? Is he taking steps to see that the position does not again deteriorate?

Mr. Wilson

The Question relates to the dates set out on the Order Paper and I am not aware—though I could answer the Question if it were put down—that bankruptcies came to an end in 1931.

Mr. H. D. Hughes

Does not the fact that the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) has just quoted illustrate the difference between a majority Socialist Government and a minority Socialist Government?