§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what consultations have been made on the proposal to abolish the Registry of Business Names;
(2) what representations he has received to the effect that the Registry of Business Names should be retained and that the charges to users should be increased.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisPossible closure of the Registry of Business Names, which would require repeal of the Registration of Business Names Act 1916, is one of the options under consideration within the Government's policy of reducing the size of the Civil Service and its cost to the taxpayer. Over 40 organisations known to have an interest in the services provided by the registry were invited to express their views, and their replies will be taken fully into account in reaching a final decision.