§ Mr. Winnickasked the Prime Minister what is the percentage increase in the number of firms going into liquidation for the five years since May 1979 over the five years prior to May 1979.
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§ The Prime MinisterThe number of companies in England and Wales going into Liquidation (compulsory plus creditors' voluntary liquidation) in the five years June 1979 to May 1984 as 86 per cent. higher than in the previous five years. For bankruptcies there is a break in the continuity of the series at end 1976 but the average rate in the latest five-year period was 42 per cent. higher than the average of the previous two years. Bankruptcies cover all individuals and partnerships but unincorporated businesses account for between 75 and 80 per cent. of the total.