HC Deb 10 March 1953 vol 512 cc1094-5
3. Mr. Shepherd

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of small businesses operating in the years 1938 and 1952, respectively.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I regret that the information is not available.

Mr. Shepherd

In view of the fact that this is a Question of more than academic interest, can my right hon. Friend say whether any sources of information exist?

Mr. Thorneycroft

If my hon. Friend would see me, perhaps I could assist him to get at the point which, I think, he has in mind.

Mr. S. Silverman

Would the right hon. Gentleman say, as some guide towards the information which his hon. Friend would like to have, how many small businesses went bankrupt in 1938 and how many in 1952?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I have dealt very fully with those matters on a previous occasion. I think it is unwise to base too many deductions on them, but the fact is that a number do go bankrupt under all Governments, and probably should.

Description Number £'000
1950 1951 1952 1950 1951 1952
Adding and listing machines 14,022 27,156 26,420 1,324 2,400 2,547
Accounting, book-keeping, billing or posting machines 1,898 1,482 547 650
TOTAL 14,022 29,054 27,902 1,324 2,947 3,197