§ Mr. William Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Trade, with regard to the Companies Act 1976, how many statutory 99W forms were sent out for ascertaining the date of company accounts; what was the total cost, including postage, of these forms; and why a note could not have been put on the next annual return reminder of the company.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisFrom 1st to 25th March 171,000 forms for notification of a company's accounting reference date, together with an explanatory letter—out of an estimated total of 700,000—were despatched at a cost of some £13,000 for stationery and postage. Inclusion of a note on the annual return reminder would not suffice, as reminders are sent only to companies whose returns are overdue.
§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will authorise investigations under Section 165 of the Companies Act into the affairs of Syston Publishing Company and System Estates Ltd.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisI have no information to justify exercise of the Department's investigatory powers under the Companies Acts, but I shall look at the matter afresh if my hon. Friend will let me have all the material he has about these two companies.