§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many companies were (a) registered and (b) wound up in the Province during the last year for which figures are available; what were the equivalent figures for each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonThe figures for 1986 and 1985 are for the 12 months ending 31 March; the other figures are for calendar years.
Year New Companies registered Companies wound up Companies no longer in registered operation struck off the Register 1986 990 117 698 1985 953 109 430 1984 906 120 323 1983 820 123 267 1982 907 69 189 1981 629 67 256 1980 608 58 87 1979 735 50 451 1978 812 58 — 1977 752 58 187 1976 616 62 343 1975 568 41 174 The increasing number of new companies being registered demonstrates that a strong spirit of enterprise exists in Northern Ireland. Government action is focused on encouraging this spirit and on strengthening the small business sector and promoting its expansion and development.