§ 27. Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek powers to ensure that builders whose companies go bankrupt are not permitted to engage in any further constructional activities from which they or their families may derive profit.
§ Mr. GoldingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the Boon Hill and Clayton Hall estate in my constituency, the builder has gone into liquidation, leaving owners very much worse off than himself? Is he further aware that a constituent of mine with a seven-year-old house in danger of breaking up was given professional advice to sell the house quickly because the builder was going into liquidation?
§ Mr. AmeryThe hon. Gentleman originally asked me about companies going bankrupt. I am glad to see that he has corrected that phrase. Companies do not go bankrupt; they go into voluntary or enforced liquidation. It is individuals who go bankrupt. We recognise a similar distinction in the political field. Thus, 18th June marked the enforced liquidation of the previous Government, and the sacking of the right hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Marsh) might be regarded as a bankruptcy now happily discharged.