§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what proposals he has under which public limited companies would be required to file their accounts at Companies house within three months of year end;
(2) if he will draw up proposals under which all private companies would be required to file their annual accounts at Companies house within six months of year end.
656W
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonI have no immediate plans to reduce the period allowed for laying and delivery of accounts from the present 10 months for private companies and seven months for public limited companies. My priority has been to improve levels of compliance with the existing requirements.
Prior to the introduction of late filing penalties for accounts on 1 July, over 91 per cent. of active companies. that is, those not in liquidation or in course of dissolution, had provided Companies house with the latest accounts due. I shall, however, be seeking further improvements.