§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many registered companies have registered company offices situated elsewhere than at the place at which they conduct their business, and which will, therefore, have to print both addresses on their business letters after 1st January under Section 9(7) of the European Communities Act, 1972; and what estimate has been made of the cost to British industry of carrying out these requirements in the course of one year.
§ Sir G. HoweThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has with regard to the extent to which provisions similarly contained in Section 9(7) of the European Communities Act, 1972, have been en- 444W forced in the present six countries of the European Economic Community; and what has been the number of successful prosecutions.
§ Sir G. HoweI understand that all member States have adopted or should shortly be adopting legislation containing provisions similar to Section 9(7) of the European Communities Act, 1972. I have no information about successful prosecutions under such legislation.
§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take after 1st January on receiving letters from companies which do not fully conform with the requirements of Section 9(7) of the European Communities Act, 1972.
§ Sir G. HoweCompanies will be expected to comply with the requirements, and will be liable to prosecution if they do not.
§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice he has given or proposes to give to companies as to whether the provisions of Section 9(7) of the European Communities Act, 1972, apply to personal letters, memoranda, compliment slips and other informal communications, or to business letters from branches of such companies in various parts of the country.
§ Sir G. HoweIt is for the courts to interpret the Act. Subject to this, it would appear that internal communications of a company are not subject to Section 9(7).
§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in the case of companies which, like banks, have a number of branches in various parts of the country, the provisions of Section 9(7) of the European Communities Act, 1972, will oblige such branches not only to give their branch address on their letter paper, but also the address of the registered office of the main company and to which they do not require replies to their letters to be sent.
§ Sir G. HoweIt is for the courts to interpret the Act. Subject to this, however, the answer to my hon. Friend's Question would appear to be in the affirmative.
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