HC Deb 13 April 1967 vol 744 cc239-40W
Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the procedure for dealing with the liquidation of companies was last examined; and whether he is satisfied that existing procedures lead to no unwarranted delays.

Mr. Darling

The administration of compulsory liquidations by Official Receivers and non-official liquidators is kept constantly under review by the Board of Trade. Owing to staff shortages some delay has arisen in concluding some liquidations, but I am confident that liquidators do their best, in these circumstances, to reduce delays to a minimum.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many proceedings in liquidation, now pending, were begun before 1960.

Mr. Jay

It is not possible without an undue expense of time to ascertain even approximately the number of voluntary liquidations which were begun before 1960 and which are now pending.

The best estimate which I can give for compulsory liquidations is about 270.