§ Sir R. THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade how many limited companies went into liquidation during 1920; how many of these were public, and how many private, companies; how many of these companies went into liquidation within one and two years, respectively, of their incorporation; and if he will say, with respect to the private companies wound up in the two years 1919 and 1920, the number of such companies, the amount of capital issued for cash under £250, £250 and under £500, £500 and under £1,000, £1,000 and under £2,000, £2,000 and above, respectively, the amount of liabilities, and the assets available for distribution amongst creditors?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONDuring the year 1920 3,146 limited companies went into liquidation. It is not possible to state whether such companies were public or private companies or the amount of the capital issued for cash without a detailed examination of the files of those companies. Information as 2103W to the amount of liabilities and assets available for distribution amongst the creditors cannot be given, as the accounts in voluntary liquidations are not lodged with the Registrar of Companies until the expiration of one year from the commencement of the liquidation, and if the winding up is concluded within one year no accounts are required to be lodged, having regard to the provisions of Section 224 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908.