§ Mr. Squireasked the Minister for Trade how many prosecutions there were against individuals or companies in the years 1971, 1976 and 1981, in respect of offences relating to breaches of the Companies Acts.
§ Dr. VaughanI refer my hon. Friend to the annual reports for the years in question which were laid before Parliament pursuant to section 451 of the Companies Act 1948, copies of which are in the Library.
§ Mr. Squireasked the Minister for Trade, during the years 1971, 1976 and 1981, how many people were employed in his Department to investigate offences by individuals or companies relating to breaches of the Companies Acts.
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§ Dr. VaughanOnly officers working in the companies investigation branch are employed exclusively on investigating offences relating to breaches of the Companies Acts. On 1 January 1973, the first date for which information is readily available, there were 22 staff; on 1 November 1976 there were 35, and on 1 November 1981 there were 30.
Other officers employed in the companies registration office and the insolvency service and in the solicitor's division of the Department of Industry devote part of their time to this work.