§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what legal advice he has received on the contracting out of the official receiver's work, in respect of the Insolvency Service's investigative functions; and if he will make a statement;
658W(2) what legal advice he has received on the contracting out of the official receiver's work in respect of Insolvency Service practitioners and the rights of assistance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heseltine[holding answer 24 October 1994]Any contracting out of functions of official receivers would be dependent on the passage of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill and on the procedures set out in it including consultation with official receivers as statutory office holders and obtaining an affirmative order of both Houses.
§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cases were referred by Insolvency Service practitioners to the official receiver for investigation in each of the last three financial years.
§ Mr. Heseltine[holding answer 24 October 1994]The number of cases so referred to official receivers in the last three financial years were:
- 1992–93: —
- 1993–94: 36
- 1994–95: 42 (to date)
§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for consultation with the users of the Insolvency Service about the future of the service, following the Stoy Hayward report.
§ Mr. Heseltine[holding answer 24 October 1994]: The Insolvency Service has commissioned a survey of its users which it expects to complete by the end of 1994.