§ Mr, Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many new building firms were registered as limited companies in the last 12 months; and how many building firms have gone bankrupt or into liquidation in the past year.
§ Mr. EyreRegistrations of companies are not recorded by industry so that the number of new building firms is not available. In the 12 months ended 31 March 1980—the latest available—the number of company liquidations—compulsory and creditors voluntary—was 769 and the number of bankruptcies—plus deeds of arrangement—which relate to sole traders and partnerships, was 825; both figures relate to England and Wales.