§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many prosecutions have taken place since 1968 for failure to file returns as required by the Companies Acts and with what results; and what is the ratio between the number of prosecutions and the number of infringements.
§ Sir J. EdenSince 1st January 1968 there have been 366 prosecutions and 288 convictions. In pursuance of the policy of seeking to secure compliance before proceeding to prosecution, each year some 150,000 companies are asked to file annual returns which are over-due. The great majority either comply with the request or are struck off the register because they are not carrying on business.