HC Deb 06 February 1991 vol 185 cc177-8W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will take the necessary measures to reduce the time limits for filing annual company accounts with the registrar of companies.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will propose legislation under which the public limited companies would be required to file their accounts at Companies House within 90 days of the reporting year end.

Mr. Redwood

We have no immediate plans to reduce the time allowed for companies to deliver their accounts to the Registrar of Companies. While some reduction in the time periods allowed is a desirable longer-term objective, our present priority is to secure fuller compliance with the existing statutory requirements. The Government's efforts have resulted in a considerable improvement, but I am looking for a yet higher rate of compliance.

Management) Limited. On 2 May 1990, Garston Amhurst (Mortgages) Ltd. was compulsorily wound up. As a result of inquiries by the Serious Fraud Office criminal charges have been preferred and three of the four directors charged have pleaded guilty. The trial of the fourth is expected to begin shortly. In the circumstances, I have no plans to appoint inspectors.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he plans to take any action against Garston Amhurst for its failure to file any accounts since 1985.

Mr. Redwood

There is no company currently registered under the name Garston Amhurst. There are, however, six similarly named companies on the register which are listed in the table, together with their current position.