§ Mr. WallerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to prevent companies charged with negligence resulting in a fatality from going into liquidation in order to avoid standing trial. [4794]
Mr. John M. TaylorCompanies may be subject to criminal proceedings notwithstanding the fact that they have gone into liquidation. In cases of winding up by the court, leave of the court may be required to bring such proceedings, whilst in cases of voluntary winding up, although leave is not required the court has the power to restrain proceedings on the application of the liquidate. Accordingly, I have no plans to change the law in this area.