HC Deb 15 March 1984 vol 56 c231W
Mr. Amess

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many co-operatives have been dissolved in each year from 1978; and what was the size of each in terms of (a) capital and (b) manpower;

(2) how many co-operatives have been started in each year from 1978; and what was the size of each in terms of (a) capital and (b) manpower.

Mr. Trippier

I regret that most of the information is either unavailable or can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, for the years 1980, 1982 and 1983 there were in existence, respectively, 305, 498 and 890 worker co-operatives employing, respectively, 5,342, 6,355 and 9,500 people. Between 1980 and 1982 there were 288 worker co-operatives formed and, between 1982 and 1983, 482. Between 1980 and 1982 and between 1982 and 1983 there were, respectively, 95 and 90 worker co-operatives that were dissolved, or had become traditional companies.