§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contact his Department has had with
78Wstatistics concerning the use of section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 and its predecessor, section 109 of the Companies Act 1967.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a list showing the numbers of staff, by grade, in his Department's companies investigation branch in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardIn January the Secretary of State announced increases in the staff of the companies investigation branch to take place over a period of two years. Those increases are being implemented.
the Association of British Insurers on matters relating to acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardMy Department has, as part of its normal functions, kept in touch with the Association of British Insurers about the issues raised by the spread of AIDS for the life insurance industry, those seeking life assurance and more generally.