§ Mr. Oliverasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that some companies are years behind in filing their annual returns at the Companies' Registry, thus causing much inconvenience to persons and organisations having an interest in the returns; and whether he will adopt the pre-war practice of sending out reminders to companies which fail to comply with their legal obligations in this regard.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftBecause of staff shortages and accommodation difficulties and the great increase since the war in the number of companies on the register, the Registrar of Companies has not been able fully to restore the pre-war practice. Reminders are sent promptly to all public and recently-formed private companies which are in arrear with their annual returns. Long arrears exist only in a small proportion of the remaining, cases and these are being overtaken.