§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied that the Grunwick company has furnished, in the correct time, all the returns required of it by the Companies Act; and, if not, what action he proposes to take.
Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Trade in view of the fact that the last accounts of Grunwick Limited were filed at Companies House more than three years ago, and that the directors are liable to fines of up to £400 under the Act, what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisGrunwick Processing Laboratories Ltd. has submitted an annual return in respect of every year since its incorporation in 1965, with the exception of 1976. Almost all, 221W however, were lodged after the period allowed by the Act. Accounts and related documents required by the Act to be annexed to each return covering a period in which such accounts were laid before a general meeting of the company, have also been submitted for each year between 1969 and 1974, but, because no general meetings have been held since 1969, except in 1973, it is not possible to identify the extent of the default in filing such accounts in terms of the Companies Act 1948.
The company is in default in respect of the annual return for 1976. As the latest accounts filed relate to the year ending 31st March 1974 it also appears to be in default in that respect for 1975 and 1976. As on previous occasions the company has been advised that these defaults may lead to criminal prosecution of its directors, and accordingly, the matter will be referred to the Department's solicitors if the default persists.