§ Mr. Rhodes Jamesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has given consideration to any change in the status of the companies registration offices.
§ Mr. FletcherMy right hon. Friend has instructed the Department to conduct a study into the feasibility of hiving off the functions of the companies registration offices into a non-Departmental public body.
In addition to examining the implications for the staff of such a change, the study will deal with the legal implications, the service to the business community and the cost in financial and resource terms.
The study is expected to be completed by the beginning of October 1983. No decision about the future of the companies registration offices has been taken or will be taken until the feasibility study has been completed.