HC Deb 22 July 1970 vol 804 cc120-1W
Mr. Wilkinson

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will list the monthly number of fare-paying air passengers lifted on scheduled and on inclusive tour and charter services, respectively, from the Leeds/Bradford airport over the past three years.

Mr. Corfield

Following is the information:

knowledge and experience in the course of their employment by a member of a body of accountants recognised for the purposes of Section 161(1)(a) of the Companies Act, 1948. The Board have also authorised 576 persons under Section 13(1) of the Companies Act, 1967, to be appointed auditors of the kind of company referred to in that subsection.

Mr. Barnett

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that unqualified accountants who have been given approval to practise by his Department are using the designation "Authorised by the Board of Trade" to imply that they have greater qualifications than members of recognised bodies; if he will take steps to prevent this; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The Board of Trade seek to discourage the use of the imprecise description "Authorised by the Board of Trade" by persons holding their authorisations under Section 161(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 1948.

Mr. Barnett

asked the President of the Board of Trade what criteria he adopts for giving approval to unqualified accountants; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Anthony Grant

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the issue of an authorisation under Section 161(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 1948 on the ground that the applicant has obtained adequate knowledge and experience in the course of his employment by a member of a body of accountants recognised by the Board of Trade for the purposes of Section 161. The Board do not normally authorise an applicant unless he has spent in the employment of such a member at least five years of which a reasonable proportion has been spent as senior audit clerk with responsibility for the conduct and completion of company audits and unless they are otherwise satisfied as to his knowledge of the application of company and taxation law to company accounts.