§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, taking the calendar year 1951 as being equal to 100 per cent., what has been the annual percentage rise or fall in bankruptcies and liquidation of businesses to date.
§ Mr. HeathThe numbers and the percentages (to the nearest unit) taking 1951 as 101) per cent. are as follows:
Year Bankruptcies Liquidations Voluntary and Compulsory Numbers Percentages Numbers Percentages 1951 1816 100 2755 100 1952 2043 113 3105 113 1953 2222 122 3213 117 1954 2176 120 3367 122 1955 2163 119 3326 121 1956 2136 118 3122 113 1957 2061 113 3035 110 1958 2250 124 3384 123 1959 2301 127 3858 140 1960 2801 154 4252 154 1961 3521 194 4689 170 1962 4145 228 4909 178 The figures for 1963 are not yet available. They will be published in the Bankruptcy and in the Companies General Annual Reports for 1963.