HC Deb 25 April 1967 vol 745 cc281-2W
Mr. Urwin

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many bankruptcies have occurred in the construction industry in each year since 1960; what is the number to the latest date in 1967; how many of these failures involved housing contracts; what was the capital value of such contracts in each year, and how many housing units were affected; what was the gross value of liabilities incurred in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jay

Figures of bankruptcies in the building and construction industry are given below.

I regret that information about the number of failures involving housing contracts is not available.

The numbers of Receiving Orders and Orders of Administration (under Section 130 of the Bankruptcy Act, 1914) made in England and Wales in respect of firms and sole traders in the building and construction industry—including builders and timber merchants—from 1960 to 31st December, 1966 (the last date to which figures are available), and the total of unsecured liabilities as estimated by the debtors in their statements of affairs are as follows:—

Numbers of Orders Liabilities
£
1960 411 1,048,171
1961 536 1,278,058
1962 655 1,886,921
1963 738 1,793,469
1964 619 1,793,367
1965 663 1,891,274
1966 807 2,401,270