HC Deb 12 February 1990 vol 167 cc73-4W
Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many decrees of sequestration there have been in Scotland for each year since 1974.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The number of sequestrations registered annually by the accountant in bankruptcy until 1 April 1986 under the provisions of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1913 and thereafter under the provisions of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 are as follows:

Year Number of awards registered
1974 104
1975 148
1976 128
1977 132
1978 130
1979 105
1980 151
1981 185
1982 217
1983 280
1984 296

Year Number of awards registered
1985 298
1986 437
1987 826
1988 1,420
1989 2,294

The 1985 Act introduced in Scotland provisions for the public funding of bankruptcies where there are insufficient assets in the bankrupt's estate to meet the expenses of sequestration. No such facility was available under the 1913 Act, and this is reflected in the increase in sequestrations registered from 1986 onwards.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year since 1974 the total sum paid out of moneys provided by Parliament for remuneration for trustees in sequestration.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The remuneration from public funds of trustees in sequestration was introduced by provisions of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 which came into effect on 1 April 1986. Gross payments made these provisions to trustees are as follows:—

Financial Year Gross Payments (£'000)
1986–87 13
1987–88 418
1988–89 2,415