§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the Government's policy on the issue of product liability and the status of the European Economic Community draft directive 9427/79.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimAs I told my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Proctor) on 29 April—[Vol. 983, c.413]—the Government will take account of the views of the interested parties whom they consulted last year before deciding their attitude to the draft directive. Meanwhile, a council working party has commenced its examination of the draft.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied with the definition of "defective" in A.4 of the draft directive on product liability 9427/79; and what submissions have been made by the Government.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimMy Department is now considering the views of the interested parties whom it consulted last year about the draft directive. The Government will, of course, take account of these views before deciding their attitude to the draft.
1977 1978 1979 1980 (to 2 May) New registrations … … … … … 55,214 63,566 66,472 26,037 Receiverships notified … … … … … 1,276 983 853 514 Liquidations notified … … … … … 9,974 9,162 8,751 4,518 Companies wound-up (compulsory, voluntary or by order of Court) … … … … … 8.959 8,407 7,472 3,125
Mr. Ron Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many companies in Scotland have gone bankrupt since May 1979; and how many people lost their jobs as a result.
§ Mr. EyreIn the 12 months May 1979 to April 1980 there were 267 company liquidations—compulsory plus creditors' voluntary liquidations—in Scotland. I regret that information on jobs lost as a result is not available.