§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many building firms ceased to trade in 1970; and what were the equivalent figures for each of the previous nine years.
§ Mr. ChannonThe number of firms in the construction industry removed from the Department's statistical register in each of the last 10 years is shown below. Separate information on those which are known to have ceased trading is available only for 1969 and 1970.
Year Removed from Register Ceased Trading 1961 5,336 Not available 1962 6,294 1963 6,197 1964 5,216 1965 5,888 1966 5,868 1967 6,953 1968 7,148 1969 6,748 5,918 1970 6,643 5,198 Note: The total number removed from the register include, besides the number that have ceased trading, firms known to have amalgamated, firms reclassified to other industries and firms which can no longer be traced.