HC Deb 12 July 1978 vol 953 cc598-9W
Mr. Wriggesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many limited companies are in default of the provisions of the Companies Acts with respect to the requirement to file an annual return and accounts.

Mr. Clinton Davis

Of the 730,000 companies currently registered in Great Britain, about a third—approximately 260,000—are believed to be in default in the delivery of annual returns to the registrar and 300,000 in respect of the delivery of accounts. A new reminder system is now being introduced as a result of the implementation of the Companies Act 1976, which will bring the penalties for default more forcefully to the attention of the companies and directors concerned.