§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department gave warnings to bankers of companies under the control or influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon, following inquiries it had instituted into such companies.
§ Mr. Nicholas RidleyIt would be wholly improper for any such warning to have been given.
§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department first investigated contravention of Sections 54 and 190 of the Companies Act, 1948 by companies under the control or influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon; what companies were involved; and what action was taken.
§ Mr. RidleyThe possibility of action will be considered when the Inspectors have reported.
§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his department first considered taking civil action under Section 37 of the Companies Act, 1967, in the name of any of the companies under the influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon, for recovery of damages from him; which companies were involved; and on what date such action will commence.
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§ Mr. RidleyThe possibility of such action will be considered when the inspectors have reported.
§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what dates his Department first considered prosecuting companies under the control of Mr. Ellis Seillon; which companies were involved; and on what dates prosecutions were instituted in relation to each such company.
§ Mr. RidleyProsecution in this case was by the Director of Public Prosecutions and is therefore a matter for my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General.
§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department first considered using its Section 109, Companies Act, 1967, powers in relation to companies under the control or influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon; which companies were involved; and on what date Section 109 powers were in fact used in relation to each such company.
§ Mr. RidleyConsideration of the use of the Departments powers is a continuous process. The Department appointed officers to make inquiries under the provisions of Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967, into the following companies on the dates indicated:
- Nomad Holiday Camps Ltd.—27th October, 1969.
- Carton Beach Holdings Ltd.—5th March, 1970.
- Mesco Consolidated Industries (Finance) Ltd.—15th July, 1970.
- Glonor Properties Ltd.—17th December, 1970.
§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department first took cognisance of reports raising doubts about companies under the control or influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon in connection with the uses of its investigatory powers and its law enforcement powers, respectively.
§ Mr. RidleyOctober, 1969; we have not instituted proceedings against these companies or their directors.
§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his officials will make appropriate reports to the court in relation to fraudulent companies now in liquidation formerly 226W under the control or influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon, to enable the court to consider whether they are proper cases for public examination under Section 270 of the Companies Act, 1948.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Court's jurisdiction under Section 270 of the Companies Act, 1948, is exercised, if it thinks fit, after the Official Receiver has submitted a further report under Section 236(2), stating that, in his opinon, fraud has been committed by a person who is within the terms of Section 270. Whether or not the Official Receiver submits such a report is a matter for his discretion as an officer of the Court and not as an official of the Department.