HC Deb 28 October 1986 vol 103 cc76-7W
Mr. Ashdown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will describe the process under which applications for investigations of companies under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 are considered for approval or refusal; what criteria are used; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will describe the sources and nature of applications made for investigations of companies under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 and similar applications made under former legislation; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what statistics are available about investigations undertaken by his Department's companies investigation branch in recent years, including statistics of the outcomes of such investigations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard

I refer the hon. Member to the "Handbook of the Companies Inspection System" and the annual reports on companies, both published through Her Majesty's Stationary Office, which give information and

Companies investigation branch
Staff in post on 1 April for each of the years 1980 to 1986 inclusive and, additionally for 1986 staff in post at 21 October 1986 and the branch complement for 1986–87
April 1980 April 1981 1 April 1982 April 1983 April 1984 1 April 1985 April 1986 21 October 1986 Complement 1986–87
Inspector of Companies 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Principal Examiner 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Chief Examiner 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 7
Senior Examiner 14 14 13 14 14 14 14 16 20
Examiner 5 5 4 4 4 3 5 5 8
Executive Officer 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 + HEO
Clerical Officer 4 4 3 3 4 4 3 5 5
Clerical Assistant 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Personal Secretary 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2
TOTAL 33 33 30 31 32 31 32 38 47

Mr. Ashdown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will describe and name the management information systems used in his Department's companies investigation branch, stating the timing and contents of each report; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard

The companies investigation branch uses internal systems and controls to assist management. These are reviewed regularly. Broadly, these systems record details of applications for investigation of companies, and monitor progress of casework and expenditure, on monthly, quarterly and annual bases.

The annual report on companies published through Her Majesty's Stationery Office gives detail of the handling of applications, and expenditure.