§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade why he has decided to end the experimental arrangement with Liverpool library for access to microfiche copies of company records; what use has been made of this facility; whether he intends restoring the arrangement in the near future; and what plans he has for providing improved access to company records for people living outside the London and Cardiff areas.
§ Mr. Clinton Davis:The experiment was a pilot exercise designed initially to operate for three months to assist the Registrar of Companies in judging the extent to which it might be possible to supply microfiche copies of company records by post to provincial centres.
Demand over the period of the experiment averaged 150 requests a month. It is not possible at present to put these arrangements on to a permanent basis because of the substantial increase in search of company records by traditional means towards the end of 1978.
My right hon. Friend is anxious to improve public access to company records and consideration will be given to a resumption of the arrangement when the necessary staff and equipment are available.
The main problem in introducing a postal service lies in estimating the net additional demand so that improved facilities can be introduced without jeopardising the efficiency of the present search facilities at the company registration 915W offices in London and Cardiff. Further surveys will probably be necessary before a full scheme can be launched.