§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Trade who is responsible for appointing an official receiver for a company; what criteria are used in deciding to appoint an official receiver; and whether any procedure exists to examine the actions taken by official receivers.
§ Mr. EyreOfficial receivers are officials of my Department. They are appointed to the courts of England and Wales by my right hon. Friend, and those courts may appoint them for the purpose of winding up individual companies under the terms of the Companies Act 1948. Any person aggrieved by the acts or decisions of the official receiver or of any other person appointed as liquidator by the court in a winding-up may apply to the court accordingly; and any creditor or contributory may complain to my Department.