§ Mr. David Howellasked the Secretary of State for Trade why the Postal Inquiry Service at Companies House concerning company registrations has been discontinued; what consideration was given to the alternative policy of raising charges from the previous level of 5p to economic levels; and what representations he has received upon the matter.
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§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe service has been discontinued because the volume of work arising from the statutory duties at Companies House continues to increase and it is no longer possible to provide the staff needed for the postal inquiry services, which are non-statutory functions. The staff previously employed on these services are being redeployed on the statutory duties of the office.
Consideration was given to increasing the charges, which were based on a minimum not of 5p but of 49p plus VAT. In order to cover the costs of this service it would have been necessary to increase the charge by at least 400 per cent., but this would not have solved the manpower problem.
I have received 21 representations in addition to the previous two Questions on this matter.