§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the latest available estimate of (a) the total number of limited companies registered (b) the number of 488W limited companies that have not filed annual returns for 1978, 1977, and 1976, and (c) the number of limited companies that have not filed accounts as required by the Companies Act 1976.
§ Mr. Clinton Davis(a) The number of companies registered under the Companies Acts in England and Wales at 31 December 1978 was as follows
On Register 742,877 In liquidation or course of removal 50,691 Effective number on Register 692,186 (b) The numbers of companies which have not filed annual returns in the years 1978, 1977 and 1976 are:
1978 220,318 1977 104,507 1976 42,288 (c) The number of companies which have not filed accounts as required by the Companies Act 1976 is estimated at approximately 250,000.
(d) In each case the figures given include a number of unlimited companies, details of which are not separately recorded. The proportion is insignificant, however.
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is, (a) the number of limited companies and the number of directors prosecuted in 1978 for failure to file annual returns or accounts as required by the Companies Acts, (b) the number of convictions for such offences in 1978 and (c) the total amount of fines for such offences in 1978.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisProsecution action is not taken against companies in default but against directors and other officers.
The figures for England and Wales have been provisionally estimated as follows:
- (a) 711 directors were prosecuted before the courts in 1978 in connection with failures to file annual returns and accounts in respect of 346 companies.
- (b) 709 directors were convicted in 1978.
- (c) Fines totalled £71,842.