§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions during the last 10 years action has been taken under section 140 of the Companies Act 1948 to prevent companies making political contributions; and on how many occasions such action was successful.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherSection 140 makes no provision for such action. It provides for the circulation of members' resolutions and related statements. I have no information about resolutions and statements so circulated.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many convictions were obtained for each of the last 10 years following proceedings instituted under section 19 of the Companies Act 1967 relating to political contributions by companies.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherNo such proceedings have been instituted by my Department. I have no knowledge of proceedings instituted by any other person.