§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies have been registered in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in each of the past five years; and if he will also give figures for those that have been deregistered.
§ Mr. FletcherThe figures are as follows:
New companies registered Companies deregistered 1979 England and Wales* 62,958 23,919 Scotland 3,514 1,753 Northern Ireland† 735 501 1980 England and Wales 66,104 25,909 Scotland 3,270 960 Northern Ireland 608 145 1981 England and Wales 68,941 28,285 Scotland 3,475 1,453 Northern Ireland 629 323 1982 England and Wales 82,955 52,015 Scotland 4,211 2,295 Northern Ireland 907 258 1983 England and Wales 91,470 43,023 Scotland 4,718 1,682 Northern Ireland 820 390 * It is not possible to break down the figures for England and Wales for any year given above. † Figures provided by the Department of Economic Development, Belfast.