HC Deb 27 June 1977 vol 934 cc4-5W
Mr. Shepherd

asked the Secretary of Trade if he will set out in the Official Report a table showing the total imports of the commodities set out below, by weight or volume as relevant, firstly from the EEC and secondly from the rest of the world: (a) live animals, (b) meat and meat products, (c) fish, (d) cereals and cereal preparations, (e) fruit and vegetables, (f) sugar and sugar preparations, (g) honey, (h) coffee, (0 tea, (j) cocoa, (k) spices, (l) feeding stuffs for animals and (m) other food preparations not covered in these categories.

Mr. Meaeher

Following is the information for year 1976:

regard to the registration of business names.

Mr. Clinton Davis

The Registration of Business Names Act 1916, as amended by the Companies Acts 1947 and 1976, empowers the Secretary of State toappoint the Registrar of Business Names; make rules concerning— the fees (within limits prescribed in the Act) to be paid to the Registrar; the forms to be used under the Act; the duties to be performed by the Registrar; the performance by Assistant Registrars and other officers of acts required to be done by the Registrar; generally, the conduct and regulation of registration under the Act; hear appeals against the decision of the Registrar; request information for the purposes of ascertaining liability to register under the Act; allow an extension of time in which to report a change of registered particulars to the Registrar.

Mr. Wakeham

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, further to his replies, Official Report, 27th May, c. 655–6 and 20th June, c. 355–6, on the rate of applications for registration of a business name and daily output of new registrations, what steps are being taken to improve the present position in which the backlog of applications is shown by his answers to be increasing at a rate of 1,750 per week.

Mr. Clinton Davis

There will shortly be an increase in the number of staff employed on the examination and registration of new applications. A further study is being made of the Registry's organisation, work load and resources to decide whether additional relief is necessary.