§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many postal inquiries have been made annually at the Companies Registration office and the Registry of Business Names, respectively; what charge was made for the facility; why the facility is being withdrawn; what financial savings are expected to result; and whether he will reconsider the decision having regard to the resulting inconvenience to those needing to make inquiries.
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§ Mr. Clinton DavisDuring 1973, 1974 and the first nine months of 1975 the Companies Registration Office dealt with approximately 44,000, 44,000 and 37,000 inquiries respectively. Information on a comparable basis for the Registration of Business Names is not available before 1974, during which year approximately 22,000 inquiries were answered. During the first nine months of 1975 there was a marginal increase in the rate of inquiry.
Charges were levied at a minimum rate of 25p plus VAT for the Registry of Business Names and 49p plus VAT for the Companies Registration Office; in either case additional charges were made at cost where the work involved was substantial.
The facility has been withdrawn because the volume of work arising from the statutory duties of the Companies Registration Office continues to increase and it is no longer possible to provide the additional staff neded for the postal inquiry services, which are non-statutory functions. The staff previously employed on these services will be redeployed on statutory duties of the office.
The financial saving is estimated at about £80,000 in 1976–77.
I regret that I cannot reconsider my decision.