§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many sole traders have been declared bankrupt since 1st March 1974; and what percentage this represents of the total number of sole traders registered under the Business Names Act.
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§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe relevant figures most readily available are of receiving orders made in England and Wales against self-employed persons and individuals or partnerships carrying on business on their own account and are as follows:
1970 3,578 1971 3,490 1972 3,115 1973 2,469 1974 3,387 Period 1.1.75 to 31.3.75 1,101 The percentage of those in the Business Names Register cannot be given as the register is concerned only with those trading under a name other than their own.