HC Deb 01 February 1982 vol 17 c9W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many companies were prosecuted for not filing their accounts in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and what were the shortest, longest and average periods of delay in the registering of accounts for the companies concerned.

Mr. Eyre

In 1980, 2,290 summonses for failure to deliver accounts were issued. 588 companies and 1,058 individual directors were involved in these prosecutions. It is not possible, without disproportionate effort, to indicate the shortest, longest and average periods of delay in the registering of accounts for the companies concerned.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the minimum and maximum penalties which can be imposed on companies for not filing accounts.

Mr. Eyre

There are no provisions for penalties on companies for failure to file accounts. Under section 4(1) of the Companies Act 1976, the responsibility for delivering accounts to the registrar is that of each director personally. There is no minimum penalty, and the current maximum is £1,000 for each offence.