Mr. HAMILTON BENNasked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that in the case of the registration of Form E at Somerset House, in accordance with the Companies Consolidation Act, 1908, the officials of Somerset House, without legal authority, have refused to receive the form unless the value of goodwill attaching to licensed property be separately entered apart from the other value of such property in the balance sheet of the company, although no such distinction is asked for in the case of goodwill attaching to property not being licensed property; and whether the officials at Somerset House are acting under special instructions in this matter?
Mr. BUXTONThe hon. Member has been misinformed. The separation of goodwill from other assets is asked for in all cases where goodwill is shown as an asset of a company, no distinction whatever being made between the various classes of property to which goodwill attaches.