§ Mr. Cadburyasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many new firms started up in the United Kingdom in the financial years 1978–79 and 1980–81; and how many firms went out of existence during the same years.
§ Mr. EyreAlthough these statistics do not provide an accurate indication of the number of firms starting or ceasing to trade, the available figures for the United Kingdom are as follows:
1978–79 1980–81 Number of companies registered 60,321 69,148 Number of businesses registered under the Registration of Business Names Act (1916)—only sole traders and partnerships using names other than their own 140,757 153,259 Company liquidations (including members voluntary liquidations which do not involve insolvency) 9,339 13,117 Sole traders and partnerships going into bankruptcy 3,996 4,625