§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for information have been received by Companies House in the latest period of 12 months for which statistics are available; and what proportion of such applications came from or on behalf of national newspapers.
§ Sir G. HoweDuring the 12 months ending 30th September 1973, 1,784,416 searches of company files were carried out by the public or by company agents. In addition 45,705 postal inquiries were answered.
Detailed figures are not available but I have no reason to suppose that more than a tiny proportion of applications came from the national Press