HC Deb 03 November 1975 vol 899 cc68-9W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report those companies which are currently subject to investigation by his Department.

Mr. Clinton Davis

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to investigations under the Companies Act 1948. Inspectors appointed under the provisions of that Act have not yet completed their inquiries in the under-mentioned public companies:

  • Corton Beach Holdings Ltd.
  • Lonrho Limited.
  • Ralph Hilton Transport Services Ltd.
  • Hartley Baird Ltd.
  • Court Line Ltd.
  • New Brighton Association Football and Athletic Club Company Ltd.
  • Burnholme & Forder Ltd.
  • Land & General Developments Ltd.
  • London Capital Group Ltd.
  • Dowgate and General Investments Ltd.
  • Edward Wood & Company Ltd.
  • Ashbourne Investments Ltd.
  • Darjeeling Holdings Ltd.
  • Wilson-Mandleberg Ltd.
  • Brayhead Ltd.
  • Central Provinces Manganese Ore Company Ltd.

In addition, investigations are being carried out into one private company which was formerly public—Bryanston Finance Ltd.—and into 32 private companies. I do not announce investigations made into private companies unless there are good reasons of general public interest for doing so.

Inquiries under Section 109 of the Companies Act 1967 are proceeding in 59 companies. Section 111 of the Companies Act 1967 restricts the use of information obtained under Section 109 and the existence of such inquiries is not disclosed.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many companies have been prosecuted in the last three years arising out of Department of Trade investigations; and what that number represents as a total of all the investigations by the Department.

Mr. Clinton Davis

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to prosecutions instituted against directors or officers of companies following inquiries under Sections 164–5 of the Companies Act 1948 and Section 109 of the Companies Act 1967. The figures requested by my hon. Friend are not immediately available. I will arrange for them to be published in theOfficial Report as soon as possible.

Back to