§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many letters have been received by the office of the Registrar of Business Names in the last nine weeks.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the current functioning of the Registry of Business Names; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EyreProposals for the repeal of the Registration of Business Names Act 1916 are contained in the Companies (No. 2) Bill which is before the House. The Bill would replace the present requirement for central registration, with its acknowledged deficiencies, by an obligation on businesses concerned on demand to disclose relevant information to persons with whom they have business dealings, to display it at business premises and to publish it on business documents. Until the 1916 Act is repealed registration is still required. Subject to industrial action the registry will continue to endeavour to carry out its normal functions and the public will have access to registered information. The disruption due to industrial action is much regretted.