§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Minister for Trade when he expects to publish the results of the research into the use of computers at Companies House.
§ Dr. VaughanConsultants have been appointed to study the feasibility of using a computer to record the receipt and issue of documents at Companies House. We expect to receive their report in July 1983.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Minister for Trade whether he will arrange for a computer to be installed at Companies House to avoid companies registration office using the Newport computer.
§ Dr. VaughanThe installation of a computer at Companies House is one of the methods of computer processing of CRO data which are being examined. I cannot anticipate the findings of the consultants' report.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Minister for Trade why there have been delays of up to three weeks in the processing of mail received by Companies House, Cardiff; and what measures he intends to avoid such delays in the future.
§ Dr. VaughanThe recent delays have resulted from a substantial increase in the number of statutory documents at Companies House following issuing reminder letters to a large number of companies in default. The registrar is redeploying his resources to minimise the delays.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Minister for Trade which organisations and companies the registrar is approaching with a view to the privatisation of certain Companies House activities.
§ Dr. VaughanA number of organisations have made confidential inquiries.
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§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Minister for Trade what surplus he expects on the operations of the companies record office for the next five years.
§ Dr. VaughanA surplus of £11.5 million is forecast for the five financial years ending in 1986–87. Expenditure on any extension of the computerisation of CRO would however reduce this considerably.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Minister for Trade whether he will modify the composition of the companies registration office users group to include representatives of the Association of Special Libraries and Information Bureaux and representatives of county library services.
§ Dr. VaughanThe present composition of the CRO users group provides a wide representation of the principal users of the services of CRO. The registrar is always prepared to consider representations from other interested parties, however, on any matters affecting the services provided.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Minister for Trade whom he has consulted with a view to introducing further new technology at the companies registration office.
§ Dr. VaughanThe present feasibility study is concerned with the internal procedures of the CRO relating to the registration of documents. As such, normal consultation will take place between management and the staff concerned.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Minister for Trade what use has been made of surpluses to the companies registration office for each of the past five years.
§ Dr. VaughanAll fees received by the registrar are paid into the Exchequer, as required by section 425 of the Companies Act 1948.
§ Mr. Nicholas Bakerasked the Minister for Trade whether he has yet determined to what extent primary or subordinate legislation would be required to change the procedures followed at the companies registration office; and to what extent this could be achieved administratively.
§ Dr. VaughanThe Government have reached no decision on whether any change should be made, whether by legislative or administrative means, in the procedures followed at the companies registration offices.