§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what checks his Department makes when a company files its annual return at Companies House.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonThis is a matter for Companies House. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from David Durham to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 22 February 1993:
You tabled a Parliamentary Question regarding the checks made when a company delivers its annual return to Companies House.My examiners carry out two types of check. First, they ensure that the company's name, registered number and registered office are consistent with the information already held.Secondly, they check that all the necessary details have been provided regarding company type, principal business activities, location of registers, secretary, directors, issued capital and members and that the form has been signed and dated.This process is simplified if the company uses a "shuttle" annual return form provided by Companies House. In this case, most of the information will be pre-printed and it would only be necessary to check additions or amendments to that information.