HC Deb 10 March 1993 vol 220 cc578-9W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how long on average it takes from the initiation of an investigation to a conviction of those prosecuted under the Directors Disqualification Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

In cases where the prosecution was brought by my Department and the conviction was obtained in 1991–92 or 1992–93, the average period between the date when an investigation with a view to prosecution was initiated and the date when a conviction was obtained for an offence under section 11 or section 13 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 was 20.3 months.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many successful prosecutions there have been in 1991 and 1992 under the Directors Disqualification Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

Prosecutions by my Department for offences under section 11 or section 13 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 resulted in 83 convictions in 1991–92. So far in this financial year my Department has been informed of 54 convictions for offences under section 11 or section 13.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many investigations are pending under the Directors Disqualification Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

There are 76 cases where my Department is conducting an investigation with a view to prosecution under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.